Ethereum Scalability
Ethereum Scalability refers to a series of solutions that enhance the transaction processing capacity of the Ethereum blockchain, reduce network congestion, and optimize the user experience through technical means. This demand stems from the performance bottlenecks exposed by the Ethereum mainchain when carrying large-scale applications. For example, when scenarios such as DeFi, NFTs, and blockchain games explode, the mainchain often experiences transaction congestion and soaring Gas fees. The following is a detailed analysis of Ethereum scaling:
I. Core Pain Points of Ethereum Scalability
Low Transaction Processing Efficiency
The Ethereum mainchain uses the PoS (Proof of Stake) consensus mechanism, with limited block capacity (approximately 15-45 TPS), which cannot meet the needs of high-frequency transactions (centralized exchanges can process tens of thousands of transactions per second).
High Gas Fees and Network Congestion
When a large number of users initiate transactions at the same time, the competition for block space is fierce, and Gas fees (transaction fees) may soar to tens of dollars, which is difficult for ordinary users to afford.
The Contradiction Between Decentralization and Performance
Directly expanding the mainchain block size or increasing the block production speed may lead to higher hardware thresholds for nodes, thereby weakening the decentralization of the network (a few high-performance nodes monopolize the bookkeeping right).
II. Main Directions and Technical Solutions for Ethereum Scalability
Ethereum Scalability solutions can be divided into two categories: on-chain scaling (Layer 1) and off-chain scaling (Layer 2), which work together to solve performance problems:
(I) On-Chain Scaling (Layer 1: Mainchain Optimization)
Improve performance by modifying the underlying architecture of the mainchain, mainly including:
EIP-1559: Basic Fee Mechanism Reform
Function: Divide Gas fees into "basic fees" (burned and destroyed) and "miner tips" to reduce Gas price fluctuations and alleviate user bidding pressure.
Effect: Partially reduce transaction costs, but do not directly increase TPS.
Shard Chains
Principle: Divide the mainchain data into multiple "shards", each of which processes transactions independently and finally synchronizes data with the mainchain.
Progress: Ethereum 2.0 (after the Merge) gradually introduces shards, planning to divide the mainchain into 64 shards, which can theoretically increase TPS to thousands.
Advantages: It does not rely on external chains, directly enhances the processing capacity of the mainchain, and maintains decentralization.
Consensus Mechanism Upgrade: PoW→PoS
The Merge: Ethereum shifted from PoW to PoS in September 2022, reducing energy consumption and laying the foundation for scaling technologies such as sharding.
Effect: Block generation is more stable under the PoS consensus, but TPS is not directly increased and needs to be combined with other solutions such as sharding.
(II) Off-Chain Scaling (Layer 2: Second-Layer Networks)
Build auxiliary networks outside the mainchain to process transactions, and only submit key data to the mainchain, mainly including:
Rollup (Aggregation Solutions)
Core Logic: Pack multiple transactions off-chain and "aggregate" them, only submitting transaction data and proofs to the mainchain, which greatly reduces the mainchain data storage pressure.
Classification and Characteristics:
Optimistic Rollup
Assume that all transactions are legal, and only submit data to the mainchain for verification in case of disputes.
Representative projects: Arbitrum, Optimism, with transaction costs about 1/10 of the mainchain and TPS up to hundreds.
zk-Rollup (Zero-Knowledge Aggregation)
Use zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP) to compress transaction data, and all transactions need to prove legality through cryptography.
Representative projects: zkSync, StarkNet, with theoretically tens of thousands of TPS and strong privacy, but limited support for smart contracts in the early stage.
Sidechain
Definition: A blockchain independent of the mainchain that interacts with the mainchain through a two-way anchoring mechanism (such as Polygon).
Characteristics:
It has an independent consensus (such as PoS, DPoS), can customize block parameters, and the TPS reaches thousands.
Assets need to be transferred through a cross-chain bridge, and security depends on the sidechain's own consensus (such as Polygon's PoS validators).
State Channels
Principle: Users establish channels off-chain for multiple transactions, and only submit the final state to the mainchain when the channel is closed.
Application Scenarios: Suitable for high-frequency small transactions (such as payments, games), representative project: Raiden Network.
III. Comparison of Main Scaling Solutions
Optimistic Rollup
Arbitrum, Optimism
Optimistic Proof + Mainchain Verification
Hundreds
1/10-1/100 of the mainchain
Ultimately depends on the mainchain
High (no centralized nodes)
zk-Rollup
zkSync, StarkNet
Zero-Knowledge Proof + Mainchain Data Storage
Tens of thousands
1/100+ of the mainchain
Mainchain security + cryptographic proof
High
Sidechain (Polygon)
Polygon
Independent PoS Consensus + Two-Way Anchoring
Thousands
1/100 of the mainchain
Depends on sidechain validators (such as PoS nodes)
Medium (some solutions rely on centralized nodes)
Shard (Layer 1)
Ethereum 2.0 Shard
Data Segmentation + Multi-Chain Parallel Processing
Thousands
Consistent with the mainchain
Mainchain consensus guarantee
High
IV. Impact of Scaling on the Ethereum Ecosystem
Advantages
Upgraded User Experience: Low Gas fees and fast confirmation speeds attract more ordinary users (such as small payment users and blockchain game players).
Expanded Application Scenarios: Support high-frequency transactions (such as decentralized exchanges and real-time interactive applications) and low-cost smart contract deployment.
Enhanced Ecological Competitiveness: When competing with public chains such as Solana and Avalanche, scaling solves the core shortcomings of Ethereum.
Challenges and Risks
Technical Complexity: Layer 2 solutions (such as zk-Rollup) have high thresholds for developers, who need to readapt smart contracts.
Asset Fragmentation: The coexistence of multiple Layer 2 may lead to the dispersion of user assets and increase the complexity of cross-chain operations.
Security Dependence: The asset security of some Layer 2 solutions (such as sidechains) depends on third-party validators, which has trust risks.
V. Development Status and Future of Ethereum Scalability
Current Progress
Layer 1: Ethereum has completed the PoS Merge, and shard chains are being gradually deployed, aiming to achieve a complete shard network by 2025.
Layer 2: Arbitrum and Optimism have carried billions of transactions, and zk-Rollup projects such as zkSync Era and StarkNet gradually support EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) compatibility.
Future Trends
Multi-Solution Collaboration: Combine sharding and Rollup (such as "data sharding + Rollup computing") to further increase TPS to tens of thousands.
Combination of Privacy and Scaling: zk-Rollup realizes both scaling and transaction privacy protection through zero-knowledge proofs (such as the integration of Aztec and Zcash with Ethereum).
Conclusion
Ethereum Scalability is the core path to solve the performance bottleneck of the mainchain. Through the collaboration of Layer 1 mainchain optimization (such as sharding) and Layer 2 second-layer networks (such as Rollup and sidechains), it gradually achieves the goals of "high throughput, low fees, and strong security". For users, scaling means a more convenient and low-cost blockchain experience; for developers, scaling provides a foundation for the implementation of complex applications (such as blockchain games and social Fi). With the maturity of technology, Ethereum is evolving from a "decentralized world computer" to a "large-scale commercial blockchain platform".
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