Consensys CEO Joseph Lubin said Ethereum could become a fully zero-knowledge proof-based protocol in 3 to 5 years during an interview with The Block. Lubin argued that scaling Ethereum's base layer through initiatives like Lean Ethereum—a long-term plan to simplify the mainchain using zero-knowledge cryptography—is essential for the rollup-centric roadmap to succeed. The prediction comes as Ethereum's key leaders have reevaluated the rollup-centric strategy over the past several months, with Ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin walking away from the original roadmap earlier this year after noting most Layer 2s had become "branded shards."
Ethereum Targets Full ZK-Proof Protocol Within 3 to 5 Years
Lubin told The Block he is "a big fan of the rollup-centric roadmap," citing evolutions and innovations that will make rollups powerful. He identified "beefing up the Layer 1" through Lean Ethereum as a key component. Lean Ethereum, proposed by Ethereum Foundation researcher Justin Drake, aims to simplify and strengthen the mainchain using zero-knowledge cryptography.
Lubin estimated the transition to a fully zero-knowledge proof-based protocol would take 3 to 5 years. He said this shift would improve both the base layer and composability between Ethereum and its Layer 2s. Lean Ethereum itself targets over 10,000 transactions per second while maintaining Ethereum mainnet's decentralization, according to the source.
The Ethereum Foundation has begun supporting native privacy and quantum-resistant solutions. Buterin and the EF have recommitted to making Ethereum as cheap and fast as rival blockchains without sacrificing security or censorship-resistance, according to the article.
Layer 2s Test Zero-Knowledge Technology Before Mainnet Deployment
Lubin said Layer 2s remain critical to Ethereum's vision of creating a World Computer, particularly as an environment to test difficult technologies before mainnet deployment. "We always knew that zero-knowledge proofs were going to be significant in our ecosystem," Lubin said. "We thought they would be significant first at Layer 2. And we were right."
Layer 2s are already achieving real-time ZK proving, with plans to bring this capability to Layer 1, Lubin noted. He said Ethereum will eventually transition into a fully ZK-proof-based protocol supported by multiple formally verified provers.
Chains like Linea, developed at Consensys, and Gnosis are "making use of what zero-knowledge proofs enable to synchronously compose transactions across different networks," Lubin said. This work could eventually support "a single atomic execution context" where users can move assets across Ethereum-based networks without bridges, he added. "You can unify fragmented liquidity that way."
Lubin said this unifying technology is also being extended to private permissioned Besu networks—a fork of Ethereum developed by Consensys used by institutions like Citi, DTC, and BNY Mellon—to potentially bring enterprise chains into the broader Ethereum ecosystem.
Lubin Defends Rollup Roadmap as Intentional Exploration Phase
Asked whether the rollup-centric roadmap needlessly delayed scaling or fractured Ethereum's liquidity and user base, Lubin said: "It was intentional to seed pricing power to set Layer 2s up so that they can explore technology and flourish."
"We knew we were fragmenting liquidity. We knew that we needed a modular architecture where execution was done in a different place," he said. Lubin noted that both the web and traditional economy are "very big," and if they were to come onchain Ethereum would need infinite capacity.
"We're going to have essentially infinite capacity when all that stuff gets built out," Lubin said. "Some Layer 2 technologies will make it through and be systemically important, and it's good that we explored the solution space and found the right solutions."
Lubin characterized the previous phase as a "divergence phase," with optimistic rollups enabling quick market entry and ZK technology maturing. He said the ecosystem is now entering a "convergence phase" for composability.
Three Groups to Spin Out of Ethereum Foundation
Lubin addressed recent departures from the Ethereum Foundation, shutting down speculation about a "second foundation." "There won't be a second foundation," Lubin said.
He stated that at least three groups will spin out of the EF to focus on core protocol work, usability and scalability, and institutional outreach. "The EF will focus on the CROPs components," Lubin added.
FAQ
What did Joseph Lubin say about Ethereum becoming a zero-knowledge proof protocol?
ConsenSys CEO Joseph Lubin estimated that Ethereum could become a fully zero-knowledge proof-based protocol in 3 to 5 years during an interview with The Block. He said this transition would improve both the base layer and composability between Ethereum and its Layer 2s.
Why are Layer 2s important for Ethereum's zero-knowledge technology development?
Lubin said Layer 2s serve as an environment to test difficult technologies before mainnet deployment. He noted that Layer 2s are already achieving real-time ZK proving, and this work will eventually be brought to Layer 1 as Ethereum transitions into a fully ZK-proof-based protocol.
How many groups will spin out of the Ethereum Foundation?
Lubin stated that at least three groups will spin out of the Ethereum Foundation to focus on core protocol work, usability and scalability, and institutional outreach, while the EF will focus on the CROPs components.
