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- Buterin backs EIP-4444 to cut node storage by limiting history to 36 days.
- New stateless node model enables selective state storage and full block validation.
- Gas pricing changes aim to lower execution costs and curb excessive state growth.
Vitalik Buterin has prepared a new plan for Ethereum, aiming to allow more people to set up local nodes independently. His proposal uses less centralized infrastructure and aims to make the network more private, distributed, and durable in the future.
In Buterin’s opinion, it is now harder to maintain a full Ethereum node due to the platform’s bigger state and high gas limits. Because of this, few individual users choose to run full nodes, and even though they are required for the Internet, nobody can restrict them. He explains that using Zero-Knowledge EVMs and Private Information Retrieval is insufficient to avoid exposing users’ metadata and letting centralized RPC services profile them.
The new approach will rely heavily on EIP-4444 being implemented. With this adjustment, node operators would no longer have to keep full history on their machines. Therefore, an erasure coding approach in distributed storage ensures that data remains secure over time and does not introduce any new weaknesses.
Modifying Some Nodes to Impact How Ethereum is Used
His proposal also relies on incorporating partially stateless nodes. These nodes would allow users to store only a selected portion of the Ethereum state, tailored to their specific needs. Its features could be commonly accessed apps, some current balance information, or a summary of recent events, meaning it doesn’t need to store everything.
They would still be able to prove that blocks are valid and continue using the network as before. If configuration contracts are integrated into the blockchain, nodes can easily pick which old data to keep for cached interactions. Here, you enjoy privacy while getting useful features adapted to your software.
Moreover, the founder recommends changing how gas prices are set in Ethereum. This would lower the costs of executing transactions, although creating new states would become more expensive. It would also ensure that Ethereum is used in a sustainable manner.
In essence, the proposal ensures that Ethereum’s future focuses on the ease of local node usage. The aim is to help regular users in the ecosystem benefit from their nodes once more.
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