Ethereum Beam Chain: Significant Upgrade to Revolutionize the Consensus Layer

Ethereum has transitioned from PoW (Proof of Work) to PoS (Proof of Stake) for some time now. However, some core researchers believe that, despite the beacon chain performing well initially, it has accumulated some technical debt in recent years, and its design has failed to fully leverage cutting-edge decentralized technologies like zero-knowledge proof. Therefore, the consensus layer of Ethereum is in urgent need of a major update.

At a recent developer conference, an Ethereum researcher proposed a plan called "Beam Chain" aimed at fundamentally reforming the consensus layer of Ethereum. This is part of Ethereum's long-term development plan, with the goal of significantly enhancing the network's scalability and performance by leveraging the latest advancements in zero-knowledge cryptography without launching a new network. Undoubtedly, this will become one of the most important upgrades for Ethereum in the coming years.

It needs to be clarified that Beam Chain is not a new blockchain in the literal sense, but a new infrastructure built within the Ethereum mainnet. It will significantly improve the transaction speed, security, and efficiency of the mainnet. Some have misunderstood Beam Chain as Ethereum 3.0, but in reality, it only optimizes the consensus layer and will not change the structure of the data layer or execution layer.

The five core transformations brought by Beam Chain include:

1. Faster block confirmation: Achieving 4 seconds slot time and single-slot finality
2. Maintain Decentralization: Sustain or improve the current level of decentralization.
3. Lower the staking threshold: Reduce the ETH staking requirement from 32 ETH to 1 ETH
4. Protecting Ordinary Users: Eliminating MEV (Maximum Extractable Value) Based on Blockchain Reorganization
5. Future-oriented: Providing quantum resistance for the Ethereum network

Upgrade Ideas and Principles of Beam Chain

1. Increase block output

The Beam Chain plans to triple the current block production to enhance Ethereum's transaction processing capability. By introducing FOCIL (Fork Choice Mandatory Inclusion List), the network's censorship resistance is improved, ensuring that transactions are not easily excluded maliciously. Validators will adopt execution auctions for isolation to improve performance and decentralization while reducing the risk of users suffering from MEV.

In addition, Ethereum will achieve single-slot finality and a 4-second block time, significantly speeding up transaction confirmation and improving network efficiency. This means that exchanges no longer need to wait for multiple block confirmations; a single block is sufficient for confirmation.

2. Improve the staking mechanism

Beam Chain will adjust the reward issuance model for validators to improve staking returns. The staking requirement for independent validators will be reduced from 32 ETH to 1 ETH, significantly lowering the participation threshold and making independent staking more popular. This breakthrough is mainly attributed to the application of zero-knowledge technology, which allows Ethereum to accommodate more nodes in the consensus while increasing speed without significantly raising hardware requirements.

3. Enhance Security

Ethereum will implement post-quantum cryptography, becoming the first network in mainstream blockchains to address the threats of quantum computing. By integrating zkSNARK and zkVM, Ethereum will further enhance privacy, scalability, and security. The network will utilize the RISC-V architecture to achieve the SNARKification of the blockchain, improving the efficiency and scalability of proof generation.

In short, these changes can be summarized as: ZKifying the entire Ethereum network. In addition, Ethereum will introduce a powerful randomness mechanism to ensure the fairness of key network processes such as validator selection, while maximizing the reduction of MEV risks through improved censorship resistance.

4. How it Works

Since the design of the current Ethereum consensus layer was determined, cryptographers have made significant progress in the field of SNARKs. By SNARKifying Ethereum's state transition function, it is possible to achieve a 4-second slot time and single-slot finality. This not only improves the L1 transaction experience but also reduces MEV risks by eliminating remote block reorganization strategies.

Beam Chain will promote the Ethereum upgrade in the following ways:

• Use sharding technology to accelerate processing speed
• Adopt quantum-resistant cryptographic technology to enhance security
• Seamless integration with the long-term roadmap of Ethereum

5. Important significance

Beam Chain is crucial for enhancing Ethereum's ability to process decentralized applications. It will improve the network's scalability, reduce transaction costs, and increase overall security, enabling the network to support more users and complex applications.

The SNARK-based proof system allows ordinary stakers to achieve performance improvements using standard hardware. As the staking threshold decreases and network performance improves, the decentralization of the Ethereum staker community will also be enhanced.

Although the implementation of Beam Chain may take several years, it will accelerate the process of significant upgrades to Ethereum. If sufficient community support is obtained, developers may start drafting specifications next year, write production-level code in 2026, conduct testing in 2027, and finally deploy it to the mainnet.

Overall, Beam Chain addresses the technical debt of Ethereum through a ZK-based approach, significantly improving L1 functionality while maintaining a high level of decentralization. The introduction of long-term solutions such as quantum resistance ensures that Ethereum remains secure, efficient, and adaptable for decades to come, laying the foundation for future innovations.

Ethereum continues to engage in long-term planning, which is an exciting development for the entire blockchain industry. This also provides a solid foundation for our optimism towards Ethereum in the current active market environment.