Ethereum Beam Chain: FAQ to Unpack the Big DevCon Announcement

No, Ethereum isn’t building a brand new network. But with a proposed update to redesign its consensus layer, Beam Chain is worth learning about if you're part of the Ethereum community.

Polygon Labs

November 20, 2024

Sometime before or after Polygon Labs CEO Marc Borion crushed it at DevCon 2024 by explaining AggLayer’s good-guy intentions to unify THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY, Ethereum core developer Justin Drake took the stage with news.

Ethereum core developers are going to work on building a spanking-new consensus layer: Beam Chain.

As far as announcements go, this was—well, actually it was a proposal. Ethereum moves forward by consensus-building and decentralized decision-making, with an open source ethos among core developers that helps Ethereum remain king of chains.

Below, we’ve created a quick FAQ for those of you who couldn’t be there to watch Drake’s announcement.

What is Beam Chain?

Beam Chain is a proposal to redesign Ethereum’s consensus layer, announced by Justin Drake at DevCon.

The purpose is simple: Bring Ethereum up to speed with current blockchain research. Doing so will enhance scalability, security, and performance. The focus of Beam Chain is to improve block production, staking mechanisms, and cryptography.

Why is Beam Chain necessary?

The current Beacon Chain was introduced during Ethereum’s transition to Proof-of-Stake. It’s now five years old.

While Beacon is effective, the last five years have seen it accumulate technical debt. It was designed without the benefit of bleeding-edge advancements for decentralized systems, like zero-knowledge proofs (ZK proofs).

Beam Chain aims to modernize Ethereum’s consensus layer for the next decade.

Does Beam Chain introduce a token or network?

No. Beam Chain does not create a new token or network. It builds on Ethereum’s existing infrastructure, keeping the same ETH ticker and ecosystem.

What are the key upgrades in Beam Chain?

Why change the consensus layer? To make things better! Key upgrades include:

Block production: Improved censorship resistance with inclusion lists and execution auctions; faster slots for quicker transactions.

Staking: Lowering validator entry from 32 ETH to 1 ETH, making staking more accessible; better issuance models.

Cryptography: Zero-knowledge proofs, quantum-resistant cryptography, and aggregatable signatures for enhanced security.

How will Beam Chain impact Ethereum Layer 2 (L2) chains like Polygon zkEVM? What about the AggLayer?

The Beam Chain proposes to add ZK to Ethereum itself, so there are potential impacts on Polygon zkEVM and the AggLayer:

Faster settlement: Single-slot finality reduces settlement delays for L2 (Polygon zkEVM) but it can also benefit Agglayer moving forward.

Lower costs: Faster slots and improved block processing will reduce transaction costs for L2s settling on Ethereum, and can have a potential impact on how proofs are processed too.

Enhanced security: Native ZK proof integration strengthens rollups like Polygon zkEVM. Better security = better security. Duh.

Reduced MEV risks: Better censorship resistance minimizes Maximal Extractable Value risks, benefiting L2 ecosystems.

Future-proofing: Post-quantum cryptography to ensure a robust foundation for L2 innovation, accelerating internal research.

When will Beam Chain be implemented?

Here’s the proposed roadmap:

2025: Development of specifications.
2026: Production-grade code written by client teams.
2027: Rigorous testing on testnets to ensure a safe transition to the mainnet.

But keep an eye on the Ethereum research forum for the latest.

Is Beam Chain Ethereum 3.0?

No. Beam Chain focuses only on Ethereum’s consensus layer. It is not a rebranding of Ethereum or a new iteration like “Ethereum 3.0.” It aligns with Ethereum’s existing roadmap and accelerates specific components.

How will Beam Chain impact decentralization?

Beam Chain balances performance with decentralization by maintaining compatibility with validators on standard hardware, even in regions with high-latency Internet connections.

Best of all, lowering the staking requirement to 1 ETH will further democratize participation in securing the network.

What role do zero-knowledge proofs play in Beam Chain?

Beam Chain integrates ZK proofs to enable a real-time validation of the consensus layer and unlock improved scalability and security.

Overall, this integration enhances support for technologies like zkEVMs, better enabling Ethereum’s ability to scale while maintaining decentralization.

What’s the long-term vision for Beam Chain?

Beam Chain aims to put Ethereum’s consensus layer into “maintenance mode” by addressing technical debt and implementing long-term solutions like quantum resistance. This ensures Ethereum remains secure, efficient, and adaptable for decades to come, enabling future innovation without the need for disruptive redesigns.

Tune into the blog and our social channels to keep up with updates about Polygon.

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