Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, recently delved into the challenges of decentralization of the Ethereum network in his blog post. He pointed out that while issues such as miner extractable value (MEV), the complexity of staking, and the hardware requirements needed to run a node have attracted a lot of attention, he believes that the solutions to these problems may be simpler than the outside world generally believes.

Buterin particularly emphasized three key issues and proposed corresponding solutions. First, the MEV problem, that is, the phenomenon that block producers manipulate the order of transactions to obtain additional profits, he suggested to deal with it through minimization and isolation. Secondly, in response to the complexity of staking, Buterin proposed a solution to lower the technical threshold and reduce hardware requirements to promote more individuals to participate in staking. Finally, he discussed the hardware requirements of nodes and looked forward to the future in which ordinary devices can also run nodes through technological innovation.

Buterin’s call to action is clear: he calls on the community to respect Ethereum’s unique attributes and continue to improve the network as it scales. He believes that by solving the MEV problem, simplifying the staking process, and reducing the hardware requirements of nodes, Ethereum can further enhance its decentralized nature and overall resilience. This is not only a response to current challenges, but also a positive investment in the future health of the network.

Alleviate the impact of MEV and achieve fairness and decentralization

MEV, or miner extractable value, describes the additional benefits that block producers can obtain by adjusting the order of transactions within a block or selectively including/excluding transactions. This practice can lead to injustice in the network by giving undue advantages to resource-rich and technically proficient people, eroding the trust foundation of the network and creating a competitive disadvantage for small players. Buterin proposed two main strategies to mitigate the impact of MEV: minimization and isolation.

Strategies to minimize MEV involve implementing protocols such as CowSwap, which are designed to reduce unfair value extraction and promote fair transactions. By hiding the specific details of transactions through encrypted transaction pools until the transactions are confirmed, transactions can be prevented from being manipulated. Such measures ensure that all participants, regardless of their resources or technical level, can participate in the network in a more fair environment, thereby enhancing the trust and decentralization of the network.

The strategy of isolating MEV limits the impact of MEV by separating the roles of validators and block builders through the proposer-builder separation (PBS) mechanism. Under this mechanism, individuals who propose transactions do not have the power to decide which transactions are included in the block, which reduces the possibility of improper value extraction. Buterin also proposed that inclusion lists can be used to force the inclusion of specific transactions in blocks as another possible solution.

Buterin stressed the importance of reducing the scope of MEV’s impact, writing: “We need to make the ‘MEV Isolation Box’ as small as possible.” This suggests that by limiting the impact of MEV, the network can be protected from manipulation, ensuring the fairness and decentralization of the system.

Simplify Ethereum staking to lower technical barriers and hardware requirements

Individual staking on the Ethereum network currently faces a high threshold of at least 32 ETH and the need for significant technical knowledge. This has prompted many people to turn to services such as Lido and RocketPool, which may pose a threat to the decentralization of the network.

To address this complexity, Buterin proposed a series of solutions. He suggested using technologies such as Verkle trees and EIP-4444, which are expected to reduce the amount of data storage required for nodes to less than 100 gigabytes (GB), making it easy for personal devices to run nodes. In addition, Buterin also proposed that the current 32 ETH pledge threshold should be considered.

Buterin envisions a future where browser extension wallets also have the ability to run nodes, though he also noted that excessive concentration of data processing and storage responsibilities could lead to trust being concentrated in the hands of a few large players.

At the same time, he warned that if the wrong solution is adopted, it could lead to the centralization of Ethereum, which is tantamount to adding extra steps on top of the traditional financial system. Buterin called on the community to respect and utilize the unique characteristics of Ethereum and continue to improve it as the network expands. By solving the MEV problem, simplifying the staking process, and reducing the hardware requirements of nodes, Ethereum will be able to improve its decentralization and overall resilience.

Conclusion:

Vitalik Buterin's insights into Ethereum's decentralization challenges point the way forward. His strategies for solving the MEV problem, simplifying the staking process, and reducing node hardware requirements are designed to build a fairer, more open, and more resilient network. Buterin's vision inspires us to work together to ensure that Ethereum can stick to its core values ​​while continuing to innovate and progress.

In the face of challenges, Buterin's call to action is clear and unequivocal: the community must respect the unique attributes of Ethereum and continue to improve the network as it expands. Through these efforts, Ethereum will not only be able to cope with the current challenges, but will also continue to play a leading role in the future of cryptocurrency and promote positive changes in the global financial system. #以太坊 #去中心化