Speaking with The Block, Consensys CEO Joseph Lubin said Ethereum could complete its transition to a fully ZK-based protocol within three to five years. The overhaul will affect the network’s base layer and more closely connect the main chain with its many Layer 2 networks.
Lean Ethereum at the Core of the ZK Transition
The plan is centered on Lean Ethereum, a proposal by Ethereum Foundation researcher Justin Drake aimed at simplifying and strengthening the main chain through advanced zero-knowledge cryptography.
The goal is to support more than 10,000 transactions per second without sacrificing decentralization. At the same time, the foundation is working on privacy improvements and protection against quantum computing.
The end goal is a unified execution environment where assets can move across Ethereum-based networks without bridges, while fragmented liquidity is brought together into a single whole.
Consensys’ Linea rollups and Gnosis already use synchronized ZK proofs to connect transactions across different networks. Consensys is now bringing the same technology to its Besu private networks, which are used by Citi, DTC, and BNY Mellon.
Why Ethereum Is Keeping Layer 2 Networks
Lubin does not see Layer 2 blockchains going away. In his view, they serve as a testing ground where complex technologies can be refined before reaching the mainnet.
ZK proofs first gained traction on Layer 2 networks, and they are now being brought to Ethereum’s base layer.
Earlier this year, Vitalik Buterin largely moved away from the rollup-centric roadmap and shifted the foundation’s focus toward a faster and cheaper base layer.
“Most Layer 2 networks have, at best, turned into branded shards,” he said.
Lubin sees it differently.
“Liquidity fragmentation was intentional — it gave rollups pricing power and room to experiment. Now the ecosystem is moving from a phase of divergence to a phase of convergence,” the Ethereum co-founder said.
He also dismissed rumors about the creation of a second foundation to manage the ecosystem.
Instead, he said that at least three groups will be spun out of the Ethereum Foundation: one focused on the base protocol, another on usability and scalability, and a third dedicated to working with institutional players.