Major Changes in the Ethereum Consensus Layer: Five Core Upgrades of Beam Chain

Since its inception, Ethereum has experienced a transition from PoW (Proof of Work) to PoS (Proof of Stake). However, core researchers at the Ethereum Foundation believe that although PoS performed well in the early stages, it has accumulated some technical issues in recent years, and its design has not fully leveraged cutting-edge technologies such as zero-knowledge proofs. Therefore, the consensus layer of Ethereum urgently requires a major update.

At the recent developer conference, Ethereum researchers proposed a consensus layer reform plan called "Beam Chain". This is an important part of Ethereum's long-term development plan, aiming to fully leverage the breakthroughs in current zero-knowledge cryptography to significantly enhance the network's scalability and performance without launching a new network. Undoubtedly, this will become one of the most critical upgrades for Ethereum in the coming years.

Beam Chain is not an independent new blockchain, but a new infrastructure built within the Ethereum mainnet. It will significantly enhance the transaction speed, security, and efficiency of the mainnet. It is important to note that Beam Chain focuses on solving consensus layer issues and will not change the structure of the data layer or execution layer.

The five core transformations of Beam Chain include:

1. Faster block confirmation: Achieve 4 seconds slot time and single-slot finality.
2. Maintain Decentralization: Sustain or improve the current level of decentralization.
3. Lower the staking threshold: Reduce the ETH staking requirement from 32 ETH to 1 ETH
4. Protect ordinary users: Eliminate MEV based on blockchain reorganization
5. Looking to the Future: Providing Quantum Resistance for the Ethereum Network

Upgrade Ideas and Principles of Beam Chain

1. Increase block production

Beam Chain will increase the block production rate to three times the current level to enhance Ethereum's transaction processing capability. At the same time, FOCIL (Fork Choice Mandatory Inclusion List) will be introduced to strengthen censorship resistance, ensuring that transactions are not easily excluded by malicious actors. Validators will be isolated through auction execution to ensure stronger performance and decentralization, while reducing the impact of MEV on users.

In addition, Ethereum will achieve single-slot finality and a 4-second block time, accelerating transaction confirmation speed and improving network efficiency. This means that exchanges will no longer need to wait for multiple block confirmations; a single block will suffice to confirm a transaction.

2. Improve the staking mechanism

Beam Chain will adjust the reward issuance model for validators to increase staking returns. The most significant change is reducing the staking requirement for independent validators to 1 ETH, which is far below the current threshold of 32 ETH, making independent staking more accessible.

This groundbreaking progress is attributed to the application of zero-knowledge technology, allowing Ethereum to increase speed while accommodating more nodes to participate in consensus without significantly raising hardware requirements, effectively breaking through the "impossible triangle" of staking.

3. Enhance Security

Beam Chain will implement post-quantum cryptography to ensure that the network can withstand potential threats from future quantum computing. At the same time, by integrating zero-knowledge proof technologies such as zkSNARK and zkVM, it will further enhance privacy protection, scalability, and security.

Ethereum will also utilize the RISC-V architecture to achieve SNARKification of the blockchain, improving the efficiency and scalability of proof generation. In short, this process can be understood as ZKification of the entire Ethereum network.

In addition, Beam Chain will introduce a more powerful randomness mechanism to ensure the fairness of key network processes such as validator selection, and will minimize MEV risks such as sandwich attacks through improved resistance to censorship.

4. How it works

Beam Chain fully leverages the significant advancements made by cryptographers in the field of SNARKs in recent years. By SNARKifying Ethereum's state transition function, it achieves a 4-second slot time and single-slot finality. This not only significantly improves the L1 transaction experience but also reduces MEV risk by eliminating remote block reorganization strategies.

The SNARKification will also endow the Ethereum network with anti-quantum characteristics, laying the foundation for the future development of blockchain. Beam Chain will promote the Ethereum upgrade through the following methods:

• Use sharding technology to improve processing speed
• Implement quantum-resistant security measures
• Deep integration with Ethereum's long-term roadmap

5. Important significance

Beam Chain is crucial for enhancing Ethereum's ability to process decentralized applications. It will improve the network's scalability, reduce transaction costs, and increase overall security, allowing Ethereum to support more users and complex applications.

The SNARK-based proof system allows ordinary stakers to achieve the aforementioned performance advantages using standard hardware. As the staking threshold decreases and network performance improves, the level of decentralization among Ethereum stakers will also be enhanced.

Although the implementation of Beam Chain will take some time, it will change the priority of the Ethereum roadmap and accelerate the development of certain key components. If sufficient community support is obtained, developers may start drafting specifications next year, write production-level code in 2026, conduct testing in 2027, and ultimately deploy it securely on the Ethereum mainnet.

Overall, Beam Chain addresses the past technical issues of Ethereum through a ZK-based approach, significantly improving L1 functionality while maintaining a high level of decentralization. The introduction of long-term solutions such as quantum resistance will ensure that Ethereum remains secure, efficient, and adaptable for decades to come, laying the foundation for future innovations.

This major update is significant not only for Ethereum but also for the entire blockchain industry, providing a solid foundation for us to maintain an optimistic attitude towards Ethereum in the current market environment.