Ethereum Foundation Views ZK-Technologies as the Cornerstone of Network Evolution

Ethereum's future depends on ZK-proofs, says researcher.

The future of Ethereum is closely tied to the integration of ZK-proofs into its core protocol, according to Ethereum Foundation researcher Xiao-Wei Wang in an interview with CoinDesk.

She described zero-knowledge technologies as part of the network’s medium-term roadmap and highlighted a series of “remarkable breakthroughs” in recent years. According to Wang, years of research in this area are now beginning to translate into practical implementations. 

The first step was the introduction of ZK-rollups in 2021. These moved computations off-chain, sending only compressed validity proofs to Ethereum. This reduced user fees while maintaining base-level security.

Uncompromising Scaling 

Integrating ZK-technologies directly into the core protocol (L1) could change this paradigm. In such a scenario, the network would be able to directly verify compact mathematical proofs of block correctness. 

This would reduce the computational resources needed to secure Ethereum, paving the way for uncompromising scaling. 

Developers have previously published plans to create a native zkEVM—a virtual machine that would allow the network to verify block correctness using compact cryptographic proofs. 

Wang views work in this direction as a confirmation of Ethereum’s strategic priorities. 

“I truly believe that resilience remains the soul of Ethereum,” she noted. 

In early January, project co-founder Vitalik Buterin emphasized that technologies like zkEVM address the blockchain trilemma. According to his forecast, new types of nodes will emerge by 2026, and gas limits will be increased. 

Between 2027 and 2030, zkEVM is expected to become the “main standard of validation.” 

Earlier, a16z crypto analysts predicted the widespread adoption of zero-knowledge proofs in traditional industries unrelated to blockchain.