Ethereum developers are weighing options beyond the traditional Virtual Machine as Vitalik Buterin proposes a radical overhaul of the system, sparking debate about RISC-V’s potential replacement.
The Ethereum protocol is undergoing significant changes, with Vitalik Buterin proposing a radical overhaul of the system that powers its smart contracts. The proposed replacement for the traditional Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) with RISC-V, a popular open-source framework, has sparked debate among developers and experts.
The Case for RISC-V
Buterin argued that transitioning Ethereum to a RISC-V architecture will greatly improve the efficiency of the Ethereum execution layer, resolving one of the primary scaling bottlenecks. This change will also simplify the execution layer, making it more efficient and scalable.
RISC-V is an open-source instruction set architecture (ISA) developed at the University of California, Berkeley.
It was initially designed for educational purposes but has gained popularity due to its flexibility and modularity.
RISC-V's design allows it to be easily customized and extended, making it suitable for various applications, from embedded systems to datacenter servers.
The ISA is free to use, modify, and distribute, contributing to its growing adoption in the industry.
Benefits of RISC-V
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Improved Efficiency: RISC-V’s built-in encryption capabilities will significantly reduce the computational overhead associated with smart contracts.
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Simplified Execution Layer: The transition to RISC-V will simplify the Ethereum execution layer, making it easier for developers to build applications directly within the Ethereum ecosystem.
Matter Labs Sued for Alleged Intellectual Property Theft
Matter Labs, the company behind layer-2 blockchain ZKSync, has been sued by BANKEX, a defunct digital asset banking platform. The complaint alleges that former BANKEX employees stole the company’s technology to start Matter Labs, which received over $450 million in venture capital funding.
Matter Labs is a blockchain development company that focuses on scaling Ethereum and other blockchain networks.
Founded in 2018, the company has developed several projects, including zk-SNARKs and ZK Rollups, to improve scalability and security.
Their technology enables faster transaction processing and lower fees.
Matter Labs' solutions have been adopted by various companies, including ConsenSys and Optimism, to enhance their blockchain infrastructure.
Key Takeaways

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‘Intellectual Property Theft‘ : The lawsuit claims that Matter Labs‘ founders stole BANKEX‘s intellectual property.
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‘Consequences’ : The alleged theft has significant consequences for Matter Labs and its partners.
Scroll’s Euclid Upgrade Brings Decentralization to Stage 1
Scroll, the Ethereum layer-2 network, has launched its Euclid upgrade, which transitions the network from a ‘stage 0’ to a “stage 1” rollup. This change marks a significant step towards decentralization and will retire some centrally-controlled safety features.
Key Features
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“Decentralized Rollup’ : The Euclid upgrade enables decentralized rollups on the Ethereum network.
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“Improved Decentralization” : The transition to stage 1 decentralization is a significant milestone for Scroll.
EigenLayer Adds Key ‘Slashing’ Feature
EigenLayer, an Ethereum protocol, has finally added its long-awaited ‘slashing’ feature. This system aims to keep ‘restakers’ honest by revoking collateral if they act maliciously.
Key Features
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“Slashing Mechanism’ : The addition of the slashing mechanism is a significant step towards improving EigenLayer‘s security.
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“Improved Security” : The implementation of the slashing feature will improve EigenLayer‘s overall security and stability.