With the upcoming Duncan upgrade on Ethereum set for mid-March, Layer 2 solutions like zkSync are poised to benefit from what’s known as “proto-danksharding,” a key enhancement to the network’s scalability.
Proto-danksharing, or EIP-4844, is anticipated to revolutionize Layer 2 solutions by introducing off-chain ‘data blobs,’ allowing for more data to be included in Ethereum transactions without impacting block processing times. This upgrade holds significant promise for enhancing scalability and reducing transaction costs on Layer 2 networks.
Anthony Rose, head of engineering at Matter Labs, a core contributor to zkSync, highlighted the impact of EIP-4844 on transaction fees, stating that users can expect substantial reductions. Currently, transaction fees on zkSync average around $0.20, with the data-related component accounting for approximately $0.08–$0.10 per transaction. After the Duncan upgrade, this component could potentially decrease nearly ten-fold, bringing down the average fee to under $0.10 per transaction.
Matter Labs has been actively enhancing zkSync’s protocol to align with EIP-4844, focusing on performance improvements and optimizing transaction batching and verification processes. The rollout of Boojum, a STARK-based proof system, will enable zkSync to compress and publish more data to the Ethereum mainnet within its batches, further enhancing cost efficiency.
Rose emphasized that zkSync’s batches will become larger, resulting in cheaper transactions for users. These developments underscore the ongoing efforts to improve Layer 2 scalability and affordability, offering a promising outlook for Ethereum’s ecosystem as it continues to evolve.