Vitalik explains the Ethereum execution layer roadmap, focusing on changes to the state tree and the virtual machine.

ZkProver · 2026-03-02T00:30:38+00:00

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin outlined the roadmap for the Ethereum execution layer, planning to upgrade the state tree to a more efficient binary tree through EIP-7864 to reduce verification costs and improve efficiency; at the same time, considering replacing the EVM and introducing a new virtual machine to enhance execution efficiency and simplify code. The roadmap will be implemented in three steps, ultimately achieving compatible transition.

ZkProver

2026-03-02 00:30:38

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ChainCatcher News: Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin posted on social media outlining the Ethereum execution layer roadmap, focusing on two major changes: the state tree and the virtual machine.

Regarding the state tree, Vitalik supports upgrading the current hexadecimal Merkle Patricia tree to a binary tree based on a more efficient hash function through EIP-7864. This change can reduce Merkle branch length by 4 times, lowering client verification bandwidth costs; at the same time, the hash function can be replaced with Blake3 or Poseidon series, significantly improving proof efficiency.

The binary tree design will also group storage slots into “pages,” reducing access costs for adjacent storage. Many DeFi applications could save over 10,000 Gas per transaction. Additionally, the simpler binary tree structure allows for metadata bits to be reserved for future state expiration features.

On the virtual machine side, Vitalik proposes a long-term direction to replace the EVM, potentially adopting a RISC-V architecture. The new VM must meet four goals: higher raw execution efficiency to eliminate most precompiles; better proof efficiency than EVM; support for client-side generation of ZK proofs; and maximum simplification of code implementation.

He notes that if Ethereum remains at the “EVM + GPU” level, it is “good enough,” but a better VM would make the protocol more powerful. The deployment roadmap consists of three steps: first, the new VM replaces precompiles; second, users are allowed to deploy contracts based on the new VM; finally, the EVM is retired, replaced by smart contracts written for the new VM, achieving full backward compatibility.

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