Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin Proposes Gas Limit Cap for Enhanced Network Security and Efficiency

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum (ETH), along with researcher Toni Wahrstätter, has introduced Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP)-7983. This proposal aims to cap transaction gas limits at 16.77 million (equivalent to 2^24). According to a Cryptopolitan report dated October 6, the proposal, initially registered on GitHub in June, is now finalized.

The main objective of EIP-7983 is to ensure predictable transaction costs and enhance network security by incorporating this protocol-level adjustment into the Ethereum network.

Mitigating DoS Attack Risks and Boosting Compatibility

There are theoretical concerns that a single transaction on the Ethereum network could consume the block’s entire gas limit. For instance, smart contracts performing extensive computational tasks might monopolize a block’s capacity, limiting other transactions. Such scenarios could expose the network to denial-of-service (DoS) attacks and compromise its stability.

EIP-7983 addresses these risks by enforcing a transaction gas cap, requiring transactions to be split into smaller units. This change is designed to improve compatibility with zkVMs (zero-knowledge virtual machines), creating a more balanced execution model that supports parallel transaction processing. The proposal also aims to speed up zero-knowledge proof creation and encourage wider participation in Ethereum’s transaction verification processes.

According to the proposal, this limit will be independent of block gas limits. Transactions exceeding 16.77 million gas will be automatically rejected with specific error codes, either during the mempool (txpool) stage or during block verification.

Rationale Behind the 16.77 Million Gas Cap

Buterin and Wahrstätter justify the 16.77 million gas limit (2^24) as a balanced figure that accommodates complex transactions while maintaining predictable execution ranges. This limit ensures the smooth functioning of resource-intensive use cases, such as smart contract deployments and sophisticated decentralized finance (DeFi) operations.

Discussions on Ethereum gas usage limits are not new. In November 2022, EIP-7825 proposed a 30 million gas limit, but developers called for a reduced cap, leading to further discussions and the eventual 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 at around $2,546. A transaction using the maximum gas limit of 16.77 million would cost approximately $11.38. The proposed EIP is seen as a crucial step toward improving the stability and efficiency of the Ethereum network. However, responses from the ecosystem and the proposal's adoption will be critical factors to watch.

EIP-7983 has the potential to redefine transaction scaling for Ethereum by addressing key vulnerabilities and enhancing the network’s compatibility with emerging technologies. Its implementation will be a significant development for stakeholders to monitor.