Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin has unveiled a new virtual machine concept, which he considers a significant step in the platform's evolution.
A Simpler Virtual Machine
Buterin introduced leanVM, a minimalist virtual machine that differs from heavier zkVM implementations. This approach aims to cut costs and streamline performance by relying on a four-instruction ISA, multilinear STARKs, and logarithmic lookups. Compared to systems such as Cairo, leanVM significantly reduces processing requirements.
Long-term Vision for Ethereum
Buterin emphasized that the current development efforts for Ethereum are not just about quick scaling fixes but about building resilient systems for the long run. He praised the team for focusing on writing highly compact code, referring to protocols as 'works of art' rather than temporary solutions.
Technical Progress of Ethereum
Buterin's comments highlight a year in which Ethereum's technical roadmap has gained momentum, with zk-based technologies increasingly seen as the backbone of future upgrades. The leanVM proposal signals that the quest for scalability may depend not only on large-scale rollup adoption but also on designing lighter, more elegant cryptographic tools.
The leanVM proposal presented by Vitalik Buterin may significantly impact the future development of Ethereum, focusing on efficiency and sustainability.