How Could the Fusaka Upgrade Change Ethereum’s Scaling Path?

Before Fusaka

Previously, every node in the network was required to download the complete blob data to verify its availability. This approach was manageable in the early days of Ethereum, but the massive increase in data posted by modern rollups has placed considerable strain on the bandwidth and storage capabilities of solo node operators.

After Fusaka

With Fusaka, nodes are no longer required to download every byte of data. Instead, they perform checks on small, randomly selected samples of the data. Through advanced mathematical techniques, such as erasure coding, the network can reconstruct the full blobs even if individual nodes have only downloaded approximately 12.5 percent of the content.

What PeerDAS Achieves

• •
  Enables up to 8x more data throughput for rollups.
• •
  Results in approximately 85 percent lower bandwidth needs for validators.
• •
  Promotes greater decentralization by reducing the need for home stakers to have high-bandwidth internet connections.
• •
  Facilitates faster rollup settlements without compromising network security.

This new method allows Ethereum to verify large data sets with significantly reduced effort, analogous to checking random pages of a book rather than reading it in its entirety for verification.

Why These Changes Matter

• •
  Rollups now have increased capacity to post their compressed transaction data.
• •
  Layer 2 transaction fees are expected to become more predictable.
• •
  Users should experience fewer instances of network congestion.
• •
  Ethereum is poised to maintain greater stability during periods of high network traffic, such as during NFT drops or volatile market conditions.

Biometrics for Transactions

Fusaka also incorporates support for the secp256r1 signature scheme. This advancement opens the possibility for smartphones to sign Ethereum transactions using native hardware features like fingerprint sensors or facial recognition. Consequently, users might be able to approve DeFi swaps through their iPhone's secure enclave without the need to manage seed phrases.

Key Improvements

• •
  Bandwidth needs are reduced by approximately 85% due to the implementation of data sampling.
• •
  A lower probability of falling behind the network during periods of high data activity.
• •
  More predictable scheduling for block proposers.
• •
  Reduced risk of Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks through protocol hardening.

These improvements are vital for maintaining Ethereum’s decentralization, ensuring that solo staking remains accessible even as the network's data throughput capabilities expand.

PeerDAS (EIP-7594)

• •
  Modifies the method by which nodes verify blob data.
• •
  Utilizes data sampling and erasure coding techniques.
• •
  Enables substantial scaling improvements for rollup networks.

EVM Object Format (EOF)

EOF restructures smart contract code to enhance execution reliability. By more clearly separating code from data, it helps to prevent common programming errors.

New Opcodes

The introduction of the CLZ opcode improves the efficiency of cryptographic operations. Developers working with zero-knowledge proofs, digital signatures, or advanced encryption methods will find this particularly beneficial.

secp256r1 Signatures

This signature type is a standard feature in mobile hardware and security modules. It expands the design options available to developers for creating wallets and enhances the overall mobile cryptocurrency experience.

After Fusaka

• •
  Blob capacity per block is set to gradually increase, moving from the current 9 blobs towards a long-term expansion of 8x.
• •
  The first increase to 15 blobs is scheduled for December 9.
• •
  A subsequent increase to 21 blobs is planned for January 7.
• •
  Operating costs for rollups are expected to decrease as fees stabilize.
• •
  Overall throughput across the Layer 2 ecosystem will see a substantial increase.

Collectively, these enhancements are estimated to allow rollups to eventually process over 100,000 transactions per second across various networks, a significant jump from pre-Fusaka estimates of around 12,000 transactions per second.

For Everyday ETH Users

• •
  Lower transaction fees on most popular rollup networks.
• •
  More reliable and faster transaction processing.
• •
  Smoother network performance during periods of market volatility.

For DeFi Users

• •
  More cost-effective swaps, lending operations, and liquidity provision.
• •
  Complex DeFi actions become more affordable to execute.
• •
  Improved execution for arbitrage and yield-generating strategies.

For Developers

• •
  Increased capacity for posting rollup data.
• •
  More predictable and stable execution environments.
• •
  EVM enhancements that reduce the likelihood of bugs and simplify the auditing process.

Upcoming Stages

• •
  The Surge: This phase focuses on continued scaling efforts, with Fusaka being a part of this initiative.
• •
  The Verge: This stage involves the implementation of Verkle trees and stateless clients to reduce the burden on nodes.
• •
  The Purge: The objective here is to remove outdated data and simplify the protocol.
• •
  The Splurge: This phase covers various miscellaneous improvements, including account abstraction and Miner Extractable Value (MEV) mitigation.

The next major upgrade, Glamsterdam, is anticipated in 2026 and is expected to introduce further cost reductions and structural enhancements to the network.