Dencun Upgrade: A Leap Towards Scalability with EIP-4844
As Ethereum gears up for the Dencun upgrade, set for mid-March, anticipation grows within the Polygon community, especially for those involved with the Polygon zkEVM. The upgrade, introducing “proto-danksharding” through EIP-4844, aims to significantly increase Ethereum’s capacity for off-chain data, which could dramatically enhance the scalability of Layer 2 solutions.
The Implications for Polygon zkEVM
Gas Fees and Data Capacity on the Horizon of Change
Polygon zkEVM developers are particularly excited about the potential reductions in gas fees that EIP-4844 could bring, along with improved data availability. Polygon, known for its commitment to scaling Ethereum through various solutions, focuses on both a Proof of Stake sidechain and a Zero-Knowledge (ZK) rollup network, zkEVM, to achieve its mission.
Jordi Baylina, a co-founder of Polygon zkEVM, sheds light on the current challenges faced by ZK rollups concerning data availability costs. He sees EIP-4844 as a critical update that could alleviate these challenges, allowing for more data to be incorporated into transactions without slowing down block processing times.
Expectations from EIP-4844
Cost Reductions and Increased Data Capacity
Baylina forecasts a “threefold increase in Ethereum’s total data availability capacity” post-EIP-4844, which would significantly benefit ZK rollups by enhancing their scalability and reducing operational costs. The anticipated cost reduction could range from 10x to 50x when leveraging EIP-4844 alongside data compression techniques.
Preparing for Integration
Technical Adjustments for a Seamless Transition
While optimistic rollups may find the transition to Dencun more straightforward, ZK rollups like Polygon zkEVM must undergo specific technical adaptations. The necessity for BLS pairings within their proofs requires a precompiled smart contract, a feature introduced in Polygon zkEVM’s recent Etrog hard fork.
Looking ahead, the full realization of EIP-4844’s benefits for Polygon zkEVM hinges on the development of a new proof system optimized for data compression. Baylina indicates ongoing efforts to devise such a system, ensuring Polygon zkEVM is fully prepared for the Dencun hard fork’s activation on the mainnet.
A Bright Future for Polygon zkEVM
With the Dencun upgrade on the horizon, the Polygon zkEVM stands at the brink of a significant evolution. The integration of EIP-4844 promises not only to lower gas fees but also to expand the data capacity available to Layer 2 solutions, marking a pivotal moment in Ethereum’s journey towards greater scalability and efficiency.
