In a recent social media update, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin announced significant advancements in the network”s approach to combating censorship. The focus of these updates is to ensure that every transaction remains unblocked, reinforcing the Ethereum community”s commitment to prioritizing censorship resistance.
The first key component of this initiative is FOCIL, or EIP-7805, which has been highlighted for inclusion in the forthcoming Hegota fork. Developer soispoke.eth referred to it as the “CL headliner” for this significant upgrade. FOCIL aims to enhance the speed of transaction inclusion by distributing inclusion power across 17 randomly selected actors per slot. This random selection process complicates any single entity”s ability to obstruct transactions. Buterin emphasized that even if a block is acquired by a hostile entity, the system is designed to ensure that transactions can still be processed, achieving inclusion within one to two slots, which is remarkably swift in blockchain terms.
The second pivotal upgrade is EIP-8141, also known as AA. This upgrade builds upon EIP-7701 and allows smart accounts to operate as integral participants in the Ethereum ecosystem. This includes various types of wallets, quantum-resistant signatures, gas sponsorship, and privacy protocols. With EIP-8141, these account types will function without the need for wrappers or third-party services, allowing their transactions to be executed directly on the blockchain. Notably, transactions from privacy protocols can be submitted through a public mempool, streamlining the process further.
The combination of FOCIL and EIP-8141 offers a robust defense against censorship, as Buterin described this synergy as guaranteeing rapid inclusion for all transaction types. This advancement benefits smart wallet transactions, sponsored transactions, and privacy transactions alike, with the distributed nature of the 17 actors making it nearly impossible to block any transaction.
Moreover, Buterin pointed out that the current size of each FOCIL is 8 kB, with potential for future expansions that could accommodate a larger volume of transactions. This development could provide Ethereum with capabilities akin to multiple concurrent proposer designs while preserving the auctioned “last look” role associated with ePBS.
According to soispoke.eth, the upgrade represents more than just a technical enhancement; it embodies a commitment to cypherpunk principles, advocating for equal access and freedom. The ability of the Ethereum community to implement such upgrades emphasizes the network”s dedication to maintaining neutrality and openness, irrespective of who oversees block production. In closing, Buterin expressed confidence in Ethereum”s trajectory, stating that the network is “going hard.” These upgrades transcend mere technical adjustments; they signify Ethereum”s foundational ethos and its vision for the future of decentralized transactions.
