Vitalik Buterin Suggests EIP-7983 to Manage Ethereum Transaction Gas Limits

# Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin Proposes Gas Limit to Boost Network Security and Efficiency Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, alongside researcher Toni Wahrstätter, has introduced Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP)-7983, aiming to cap transaction gas limits at 16.77 million (equivalent to 2^24). This proposal, as reported by Cryptopolitan on October 6, was initially registered on GitHub in late June and has now been finalized. EIP-7983's primary objective is to create predictable transaction costs and enhance network security through this protocol-level adjustment on the Ethereum network. # Mitigating DoS Attack Risks and Boosting Compatibility There are theoretical concerns that a single transaction on the Ethereum network could use a block's entire gas limit. For example, smart contracts performing complex computational tasks might monopolize a block’s capacity, marginalizing other transactions. This could make the network vulnerable to denial-of-service (DoS) attacks or reduce stability. EIP-7983 addresses these risks by imposing a transaction gas cap, necessitating the breakdown of transactions into smaller units. These changes aim to improve compatibility with zkVMs (zero-knowledge virtual machines), facilitating a more balanced execution model and supporting parallel transaction processing. Additionally, the proposal seeks to speed up zero-knowledge proof creation and encourage broader participation in Ethereum’s transaction verification processes. The proposal specifies that this limit will apply independently of block gas limits. Any transaction exceeding 16.77 million gas will be rejected with specific error codes, either during the mempool (txpool) stage or in the block verification process. # Justification for the 16.77 Million Gas Cap Buterin and Wahrstätter argue that the 16.77 million gas limit (2^24) strikes a balance, supporting complex transactions while maintaining predictable execution ranges. This cap ensures smooth operation for resource-intensive use cases, such as smart contract deployments and advanced decentralized finance (DeFi) operations. This isn't the first discussion of Ethereum gas usage limits. In November 2022, EIP-7825 proposed a 30 million gas limit, but many developers favored a lower cap, leading to further deliberations and the emergence of EIP-7983. # Cost Implications and Network Impact According to EtherScan’s gas tracker, the current average gas cost is 0.266 gwei, with Ethereum priced around $2,546. A transaction utilizing the maximum gas limit of 16.77 million would cost approximately $11.38. The proposed EIP is seen as a vital step towards improving the stability and efficiency of the Ethereum network. However, ecosystem responses and the proposal's adoption are crucial factors to observe. EIP-7983 has the potential to revolutionize transaction scaling for Ethereum by addressing key vulnerabilities and enhancing the network’s compatibility with new technologies. Its implementation and impact on Ethereum’s ecosystem will be significant developments for stakeholders to follow.