Building on the EVM requires an L1 foundation

Tuesday 8th of April 2025 15:00:00

Scaling the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) Requires an L1

A recent report by Ethereum developer and researcher, Tim Beiko, has highlighted the need for a new layer one (L1) blockchain to effectively scale the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). The EVM is the core component of the Ethereum network, responsible for executing smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps).

According to the report, the EVM's current limitations, such as its reliance on a single, centralized blockchain, are hindering its ability to scale and support the growing demand for decentralized applications. Beiko argues that a new L1 blockchain, capable of handling high transaction volumes and providing a more robust and reliable infrastructure, is necessary to support the EVM's growth.

The report notes that the Ethereum network has experienced significant growth in recent years, with the number of active addresses increasing by over 50% in the past 12 months. However, this growth has put a strain on the network, leading to increased congestion and higher fees. A new L1 blockchain would provide a more scalable and efficient infrastructure, enabling the EVM to support a wider range of decentralized applications and users.

The idea of a new L1 blockchain is not new, with several projects already exploring this concept. For example, Polkadot's interoperability protocol, which enables different blockchain networks to communicate with each other, has been touted as a potential solution for scaling the EVM. Other projects, such as Cosmos and Solana, are also working on developing new L1 blockchains designed to support high transaction volumes and provide a more robust infrastructure for decentralized applications.

The report's findings have sparked debate within the Ethereum community, with some arguing that a new L1 blockchain is necessary to support the EVM's growth, while others believe that the current infrastructure can be scaled through the development of new technologies, such as sharding and zk-SNARKs. Regardless, the need for a more scalable and efficient infrastructure is clear, and the development of a new L1 blockchain could play a crucial role in supporting the continued growth and adoption of decentralized applications on the Ethereum network.