Breaking the Ethereum Trilemma: How ZK-EVM and PeerDAS Are Reshaping Network Architecture

GasWrangler · 2026-01-04T00:20:13+00:00

Ethereum is undergoing a systemic technological transformation, with ZK-EVM entering the alpha stage and PeerDAS now live. This marks a fundamental change for Ethereum, combining decentralization, high consensus, and high bandwidth. Future plans include gradually expanding the Gas limit and decentralizing block construction authority to enhance the fairness of global nodes.

GasWrangler

2026-01-04 00:20:13

Abstract generation in progress

【CryptoWorld】The technological evolution of Ethereum is undergoing a systemic transformation. ZK-EVM has entered the alpha stage, with performance reaching production-level standards. The next focus is primarily on security audits. Meanwhile, PeerDAS (Data Availability Sampling) has officially gone live on the mainnet.

This is not a gradual optimization but a fundamental shift in the entire network architecture of Ethereum. In a recent analysis, Vitalik pointed out that Ethereum is evolving into a new type of P2P network that combines decentralization, a strong consensus mechanism, and high bandwidth.

Why is this so important? A look at some historical comparisons will tell you. BitTorrent has extremely high bandwidth efficiency but lacks a consensus mechanism; Bitcoin, while having a robust consensus guarantee, faces bandwidth bottlenecks due to its full replication design. Ethereum’s innovation lies in the introduction of PeerDAS and ZK-EVM, which aim to achieve decentralization, consensus, and high throughput simultaneously—something once considered an impossible trilemma. Currently, PeerDAS is operating normally on the mainnet, and ZK-EVM is performance-ready.

From a timeline perspective, starting in 2026, with the advancement of new mechanisms like BAL and ePBS, the Gas limit will gradually expand, and running ZK-EVM nodes will become a feasible option. By 2026-2028, Ethereum will undergo Gas re-pricing, adjust its state structure, and execution loads will gradually migrate into blobs. An even more aggressive goal is to make ZK-EVM the primary method for network block validation between 2027 and 2030, further opening the Gas ceiling.

Additionally, distributed block construction has been put on the agenda. The long-term goal is to prevent blocks from being fully constructed in any single location, instead dispersing construction rights through protocol layers or off-chain protocols, reducing the risk of centralization intervention, and enhancing fairness among nodes across different regions worldwide.

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AltcoinHunter

· 01-06 19:42

Sounds like another wave of "disruptive innovation"... But honestly, I've been watching ZK-EVM and PeerDAS for a while, and this time it seems really different, feels like there's something substantial. Frankly, the launch of PeerDAS mainnet has been seriously underestimated, hasn't it? Why isn't anyone hyping it? Both auditing and optimization are needed... How many months can this bear market sustain? You're right, Ethereum is indeed breaking through the triple difficulty dilemma, but the problem is if gas fees don't come down, how can us farmers keep playing? Haha. Vitalik's hype is over the top, and what about the plan he mentioned last time... Anyway, let's just observe for now. If this thing can really be realized, won't Layer2 projects all get snatched away? I'm a bit worried.

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GasGuzzler

· 01-06 11:39

Another "fundamental change," is this time really different? I looked into PeerDAS launching, but as for the audit... do you really dare to bet?

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StableCoinKaren

· 01-04 00:50

Honestly, can ZK-EVM really be stable, and can the security audit be completed faster...

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StablecoinSkeptic

· 01-04 00:50

To be honest, getting ZK-EVM up and running is just the beginning. The real test is still ahead. If the security audit fails, it could be problematic.

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quietly_staking

· 01-04 00:50

Honestly, this update is quite aggressive. Launching ZK and PeerDAS together really is a combined punch. --- But can it pass the security audit? It seems more critical than performance metrics. --- Finally, I understand why Vitalik has been so excited lately. The trilemma might really be broken. --- BitTorrent might be a bit exaggerated as a benchmark, but the idea is indeed quite innovative. --- Just want to know if the operational costs for regular nodes will decrease. Hearing about parameters is exciting, but real savings in the wallet are more tangible. --- Not many people are discussing the mainnet on PeerDAS yet, so there's no rush. --- If this really takes off, it's hard to say how long Ethereum's position can remain stable.

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RamenDeFiSurvivor

· 01-04 00:48

That same set of "fundamental transformation" rhetoric again... ZK-EVM is still in alpha, and you're already claiming it's production-ready? Security audits are the real hurdle, okay?

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FlatlineTrader

· 01-04 00:22

Sounds good, but what I care about is when this thing will actually go live and be usable... The data on paper looks great, but that's just on paper.

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