- Trending
- Comments
- Latest
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed removing the Ethereum modexp feature, a cryptographic feature that creates verification bottlenecks up to 50 times worse than average blocks when generating zero-knowledge proofs.
The feature, which Buterin originally designed, has become a major obstacle to Ethereum’s scaling roadmap as the network pushes toward privacy-focused layer-2 solutions and institutional adoption.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has suggested removing the Ethereum modexp feature also known as the modular exponentiation precompile arguing that it has become one of the network’s “most ZK-unfriendly” components.
According to Buterin’s statement on X, the feature creates verification bottlenecks up to 50 times worse than average blocks when generating zero knowledge proofs a major obstacle for the network’s scaling roadmap.
As Ethereum pushes toward a privacy first ecosystem, the Ethereum modexp feature remains a major challenge for developers building the zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine (zkEVM).
Buterin admitted his role in creating the now problematic feature humorously stating he “bows his head in shame,” while recommending its replacement with computationally equivalent EVM code. Though this alternative may increase gas costs it would dramatically simplify proof generation and improve network efficiency.
Zero-knowledge EVMs rely on cryptographic proofs to validate computations off chain enabling faster and more secure transactions.
However, the Ethereum modexp feature introduces significant strain on the prover component responsible for generating these proofs. The feature’s computational complexity, primarily linked to RSA encryption and signing operations slows down rollups and layer-2 scaling solutions.
Buterin explained that the Ethereum modexp feature causes disproportionate delays during proof generation directly impacting transaction throughput and overall network speed. Moreover, its complexity increases the risk of consensus failures through potential edge cases or bugs.
Rather than optimizing a feature that affects less than 0.01% of users, Buterin proposed replacing the Ethereum modexp feature with standard EVM bytecode, achieving similar functionality at higher gas costs but far better performance. Developers requiring modular exponentiation could alternatively use SNARK based cryptographic systems to minimize inefficiency.
This pragmatic approach prioritizes scalability and ecosystem stability, trading off legacy features with narrow use cases for broader network advancement. The proposed Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) would redefine how the network processes cryptographic computations that burden zero-knowledge systems.
The removal of the Ethereum modexp feature aligns with Ethereum’s ongoing effort to make its network more suitable for institutional use. In late October, the Ethereum Foundation introduced “Ethereum for Institutions,” a new initiative designed to help enterprises adopt blockchain technology with built in privacy and compliance solutions.
This initiative leverages zero-knowledge proofs, trusted execution environments, and homomorphic encryption to develop secure, audit ready applications. Projects such as Chainlink, RAILGUN, Aztec Network, and Zama are already pioneering privacy preserving smart contracts that balance transparency with confidentiality.
Ethereum continues to dominate tokenized assets and stablecoins, hosting over 75% of real world assets (RWAs) and 60% of global stablecoin supply.
Financial giants like BlackRock, Securitize, and Ondo Finance use the network to deploy tokenized financial products offering 24/7 settlement and transparency all of which could benefit from the performance improvements that removing the Ethereum modexp feature would bring.
The Ethereum Foundation’s newly formed 47-member Privacy Cluster coordinated by Blockscout founder Igor Barinov further demonstrates the ecosystem’s shift toward practical privacy and scalability.
The team focuses on selective data disclosure, private verification, and institutional adoption all of which depend on overcoming current performance constraints including those posed by the Ethereum modexp feature.
The foundation recently rebranded its Privacy and Scaling Explorations group to Privacy Stewards for Ethereum signaling a move from theoretical research to implementation. The foundation cautioned that without strong privacy infrastructure, Ethereum could end up serving as “a tool for global surveillance instead of a pillar of global freedom.”
Vitalik’s introduction of the GKR protocol adds another layer of progress. This cryptographic technique accelerates zero-knowledge verification by up to tenfold and processes over two million computations per second using consumer hardware.
Its efficiency improvements could become even more pronounced once the Ethereum modexp feature is retired, unlocking faster, cheaper, and more private transaction validation across the network.
The proposed removal of the Ethereum modexp feature underscores Vitalik Buterin’s commitment to refining Ethereum’s cryptographic foundations and scaling potential.
By replacing the computationally intensive precompile with optimized code, Ethereum aims to clear one of the biggest hurdles to efficient zero-knowledge proof generation paving the way for a faster, more private, and institutionally friendly blockchain future.
