The zkEVM ecosystem has achieved a performance leap after a year of intensive efforts, reducing Ethereum block proof time from 16 minutes to 16 seconds, with a cost reduction of 45 times. Participating zkVMs can now complete proofs for 99% of mainnet blocks within 10 seconds on target hardware.
On December 18, the Ethereum Foundation (EF) announced the implementation of a real-time proof mechanism and the elimination of performance bottlenecks. However, it emphasized that the real challenge lies in reliability, as speed without security support becomes a burden. Additionally, several zkEVMs based on STARK algorithms have had their underlying mathematical conjectures disproven in recent months, leading to a reduction in security levels.
Previously, in July, EF set comprehensive real-time proof goals covering multiple dimensions such as latency, hardware, and security. These have now been met through the EthProofs benchmark tests.
The core shift is from pursuing throughput to prioritizing provable security, clearly stating that L1-level zkEVMs must achieve a 128-bit security standard, aligning with mainstream cryptographic norms. This is because forged proofs could lead to critical risks such as token counterfeiting and L1 state tampering, making security margins non-negotiable.
EF simultaneously unveiled a three-phase security roadmap:
- By the end of February 2026, all zkEVM teams must integrate their proof systems with EF's soundcalc security assessment tool to standardize security calculations;
- Achieve the Glamsterdam standard by the end of May, meeting interim goals like 100-bit provable security;
- Complete the H-star final goal by the end of December, achieving 128-bit provable security and providing formal security arguments for recursive topological structures.
To meet these goals, EF mentioned key technical tools like WHIR and JaggedPCS, which can improve efficiency by optimizing proof generation and avoiding computational waste, while techniques like recursive topologies help reduce proof size.
However, multiple challenges remain: real-time proofs have not yet been implemented on-chain, leaving actual validator performance in question; security parameters need dynamic adjustment as mathematical conjectures are disproven; it is uncertain if all teams can meet deadlines; and formal verification projects for recursive architectures are still in early stages, with uneven ecosystem development.
Notably, compliant zkEVMs could enable Ethereum to increase the Gas limit, enhancing block capacity while ensuring staking feasibility, promoting L1 as a trusted settlement layer, and blurring the boundaries between L2 and L1 execution.
With the performance sprint concluded, the core focus of the zkEVM ecosystem has shifted to achieving sufficiently reliable security proofs without relying on easily disprovable conjectures, to support trillion-dollar asset scales. The security competition has now officially begun, and it will be the main theme for Ethereum in 2026.
