Ethereum is preparing for a significant architectural upgrade that could see a zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine (zkEVM) integrated directly into its layer-1 blockchain within a year.

In a post by Sophia Gold, a developer in the Ethereum Foundation’s (EF) protocol support team, the EF outlined a path toward replacing traditional block execution with zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs). 

Instead of requiring every validator to re-run transaction blocks to verify them, the system will switch to validators only checking ZK-proofs, which are tiny cryptographic receipts that confirm everything was done correctly. 

The roadmap proposes allowing validators to verify execution using stateless proof verification from multiple zero-knowledge virtual machines (zkVMs), which means having multiple independent checkers verifying multiple proofs. This adds an extra layer of security without slowing things down. 

Ethereum to become the largest zero-knowledge application

ZK-proofs are a cryptographic method that enables a prover to validate a claim without disclosing information about the claim itself. It allows the verification of confidential data without disclosing the data. 

The EF’s initiative positions the Ethereum network to eventually become the world’s largest ZK application. To support the transition, the network will define real-time proving as a technical and hardware standard that zkVM teams should aim for. 

The EF is pushing zkVM teams to follow specific goals to ensure that the technology is fast, secure and can be run from home. More specifically, the EF wants zkVMs to create proofs in under 10 seconds, be secure and work on hardware costing less than $100,000 and use less than 10 kilowatts of electricity. 

This would allow everyday people to help secure the network, protecting Ethereum against censorship and central control. 

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Ethereum’s ZK rollout will be gradual

Gold said the change will be gradual, with optional ZK clients running alongside current validator setups. However, as ZK clients prove their reliability and performance, the network will shift to requiring proof verification instead of re-execution. 

While the timeline seems ambitious, the EF said the momentum in ZK research and open-source developments makes it achievable. The foundation urged zkVM teams to work toward real-time home proving.

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]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/ethereum-foundation-roadmap-targets-zkevm-in-mainnet-within-a-year/feed/ 0 47019 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/immutable-to-merge-immutable-x-into-zkevm-network-by-late-2025/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/immutable-to-merge-immutable-x-into-zkevm-network-by-late-2025/#respond Tue, 15 Apr 2025 14:56:44 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/immutable-to-merge-immutable-x-into-zkevm-network-by-late-2025/

Ethereum gaming platform Immutable has announced plans to unify its networks by merging the original Immutable X into the newer Immutable zkEVM chain. The process, expected to wrap up in late 2025, comes after the zkEVM network processed nearly 150 million transactions since launching in early 2024.

Immutable introduced its zkEVM solution last year, offering EVM-compatible smart contracts, deeper liquidity for in-game items, and access to a larger pool of DeFi tools. zkEVM chains offer scalability, faster transaction speeds, and lower fees while maintaining full compatibility with Ethereum smart contracts.

According to the company, the goal of consolidating assets and games into a single network is to create a “true home of Web3 gaming.”

Several high-profile titles have already made the transition, including Guild of Guardians. This mobile role-playing game boasts more than one million downloads.

Automatic Migration for Most Users

The upcoming merge aims to minimize friction for existing Immutable users. Wallet holders will generally see their assets automatically appear on Immutable zkEVM without having to perform manual steps. Those using the Immutable Passport wallet should find their tokens and collectibles in the same address once the network transition goes live. For users of other wallets, such as MetaMask, assets will also be migrated to their primary wallet address on zkEVM.

However, Immutable will offer an opt-out option for anyone who prefers not to have their assets automatically transferred. Users can instead withdraw their assets to Ethereum Layer 1 before the merge if they choose to avoid the consolidation process. After the network shift, wallets or custodial services that do not yet support Immutable’s zkEVM chain can contact their provider to enable it.

Source Immutable

Impact on Games and Developers

While the move is relatively straightforward for players, it has greater implications for game developers and marketplaces. The Immutable X APIs will be deprecated, and projects built on those APIs will need to adjust their integrations accordingly. Developers who relied on Immutable Link or the Immutable X SDK will be required to shift to standard EVM wallet interactions and replace existing RPC calls to point toward zkEVM.

In terms of asset contracts, Immutable plans to reissue ERC20 and ERC721 tokens for existing projects using a standard template. These new contracts will carry their own addresses on zkEVM, distinct from the original Immutable X collections. The company will provide an API to map old contract addresses to their new counterparts, reducing confusion and ensuring a smoother transition.

Immutable will bear the gas costs for migrating these assets, and the default ownership rights will remain with the same project owners as on Immutable X. Developers who prefer custom contracts or want to convert ERC721 items into ERC1155 tokens have until April 2025 to make those arrangements with Immutbale’s support team.

Expanding Game Ecosystem

Immutable has already seen a variety of games and publishers deploy on the zkEVM chain. Along with Guild of Guardians, other well-known titles in the Immutable ecosystem include Gods Unchained, Illuvium, RavenQuest, Space Nation Online, Immortal Rising 2, and Treeverse.

By the time the full merge is complete, Immutable expects all these projects—and any new additions—to benefit from a unified environment that aims to streamline token trading, cross-game collaboration, and user on-ramps.

Looking Ahead

Although an exact date for the merge has not been set, Immutable anticipates that completion in late 2025 will bring all existing users and game developers onto one consolidated chain. The team also plans to release more information on upcoming improvements to validity proofs and the overall architecture, so that both current and future partners can prepare effectively.