(1/13) Introducing: Inevitable Ethereum
A new wiki-style site dedicated to
@ethereum
, the World Computer. History, finance, computer science, elliptic curve cryptography... everything needed to see the future.
To see what I see: Ethereum is inevitable.
(1/18)
@ethereum
: The World Computer
A guide to the foundational principles and technologies of Ethereum.
If you have ever wondered “what’s the big deal about $ETH?” This is the thread for you!
(1/15) Token Standards and Composability
ERC-20, ERC-721, ERC-1155, ERC-4626...
ETC - WTF
Confused what
@ethereum
token standards are and why they matter? Interested in knowing which tokens are for what purpose? Want to understand the big picture?
This is the thread for you!
(1/25) Cryptography Fundamentals: Elliptic Curve Cryptography
Elliptic Curve Cryptography is (one of) our strongest cryptographic tools, vastly more secure than its predecessors. But... how does the moon math at the center of modern crypto work?
A layman's guide to Sci-Fi tech
(1/27)
@ethereum
Roadmap
In ~24 hours, Ethereum be changed forever. But The Merge is not the end, it simply marks a new chapter; one with many more improvements. Ethereum is becoming the World Computer!
A guide to the plan that will take Ethereum from 12 to 100,000 txns/sec.
(1/21)
@ethereum
: The Big Picture
From 1492 to 2022, the context, technology and vision of the World Computer. The complete, top-to-bottom case for $ETH.
An (unprecedented) mega-thread.
(1/25)
@ethereum
Roadmap: Account Abstraction
Let's face it, the Ethereum user experience sucks. You can use Apple Pay to buy using your face-print, how can Ethereum compete?
Account abstraction is the 0 to 1 upgrade that will blow open this design space and transform Ethereum!
(1/18) The Problem with Merkle Trees
At the heart of
@Bitcoin
,
@ethereum
and many blockchain computers is the Merkle Tree. While this data structure has served us well, it is not perfect... and if you look ahead, you can see impending problems.
Let's talk Merkle proof scaling.
(1/15)
@ethereum
Scaling Technology
State Channels → Plasma → Optimistic Rollups → ZK-Rollups
Your guide to the technologies that will scale Ethereum from 12 to 100,000 txns/sec... at a lower cost than you pay today!
(1/25)
@ethereum
: A Timeline
Today we know Ethereum as the world's preeminent smart contract platform, and the globe's most promising cryptocurrency. But Ethereum wasn't born this way, it was built.
A journey from the musings of
@VitalikButerin
to today's ultra-scalable $ETH.
(1/25) Cryptographic Innovation: Verkle Trees
@ethereum
is the World Computer; born a rudimentary number cruncher, on a journey to (inevitably) becoming the dominant global settlement layer. And soon, Ethereum will outgrow the Merkle tree.
Tomorrow's solution: Verkle Trees
(1/17) Heard of The World Computer, but not sure how
@ethereum
possibly qualifies?
You need to learn about virtual machines, the EVM and how Ethereum provides a common, trusted and secure computing environment.
After this thread, you’ll never think of Ethereum the same again!
(1/25)
@ethereum
Scalability: The Roadmap to 100k Transactions per Second
Over the next 3-5 years, Ethereum will evolve from a primitive blockchain into the backbone of the internet.
Your guide to:
- The Merge
- EIP-4844 (proto-danksharding)
- Enshrined PBS
- Danksharding
(1/25)
@ethereum
Fundamentals: Time, Slots and Epochs
The World Computer experiences time in an unintuitive way: a new block is proposed every 12 seconds, representing 1,000s of instantaneous changes within the EVM.
This is what happens during the rest of those 12 seconds.
(1/25)
@ethereum
: The Complete Story
What is Ethereum and why is it important? How does it work today and what's on the roadmap?
In the Ethereum endgame, why is $ETH so valuable?
A comprehensive mega-thread on the inevitability of Ethereum.
(1/17)
@ethereum
Endgame: The Internet Economy
Trying to understand crypto, Ethereum and De-Fi in the context of history?
Read on to learn how I think the world is changing.
(1/23)
@ethereum
Roadmap: Scaling Execution
$ETH is inevitable; I am more confident today than I have ever been. But let's face facts: Ethereum is SLOW and EXPENSIVE. How will the World Computer scale?
Your guide to Rollups, Danksharding, PBS and more!
(1/20)
@synthetix_io
has been PRINTING money lately, throwing off sooo many fees to $SNX stakers. Curious what's going on?
Read on to learn about one of the OG De-Fi protocols!
If you are a fan of $CRV, $CVX or any parts of The Flywheel, you need to check this out.
(1/26)
@ethereum
Roadmap: Proposer-Builder Separation
The Merge was successful, $ETH is Proof of Stake! As the era of miners closes, we find ourselves entering a new meta: the age of MEV
Your guide to existential threat facing Ethereum... and the plan to vanquish it
(1/28) The History of Modern Finance: From 1492 to 2022
In the 16th century, Europe catapulted from the backwater of Eurasia into the forefront of global dominance. The secret? The invention of modern finance.
Read on to learn why the world needs
@ethereum
, ASAP.
(1/21) Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) and the Practical Solution (pBFT)
What is the Byzantine Generals Problem? Why is it important for distributed systems? Does this problem have a solution?
A guide to the core principles underlying decentralized consensus.
(1/10) The
@ethereum
Blockchain: Your guide to the distributed ledger technology that powers The World Computer.
What is the blockchain? What role does it play in the Ethereum protocol? What does the future hold for this core tech?
Read on for these answers, and more!
(1/24) Blockchain Scaling: Optimistic Rollups
Wondering why folks are comfortable bridging assets to
@arbitrum
? Curious what's going on under
@optimismFND
's hood? Need to understand how
@MetisDAO
secures your $ETH?
Your guide to the today's premier blockchain scaling solutions.
(1/30)
@ethereum
Roadmap: Danksharding
From A to KZG, a comprehensive guide to the post-Merge roadmap of the World Computer:
- Proto-Danksharding (EIP-4844)
- Proposer-Builder Separation (PBS)
- Danksharding
A megathread deep-dive on decentralized scalability.
(1/21)
@ethereum
Fundamentals: PoS Blocks
In less than 1 week, the Ethereum blockchain will Merge with the Beacon Chain and the World Computer will transition from PoW to PoS. The blockchain will never be the same.
A field-by-field guide to on-chain future.
(1/18)
@ethereum
Fundamentals: Transactions
Sent $ETH? LP'ed into an AMM? Deployed a new contract? Everything you do on the World Computer leaves an on-chain record. Ever wonder what's inside your transactions?
A field-by-field guide to the atomic unit of Ethereum computing
(1/29)
@ethereum
Endgame
The World Computer was born ~7 years ago; like the Internet before it, its development is chaotic and the growing pains are substantial...
...but WOW was the payoff worth it!
The future is closer than you think, you want to see what $ETH looks like?
(1/13) Computer Science 201: Merkle Trees and Merkle Proofs
If you want to understand
@Bitcoin
,
@ethereum
and blockchain technology, you need to learn:
- How a Merkle trees expresses a large dataset
- How a Merkle proof works
- Why a Markle tree is so efficient
(1/25) Degen's Handbook: A Practical Guide to Elliptic Curve Cryptography
Elliptic Curve Cryptography is TOUGH; sometimes you need to walk away from the details and reframe on the bigger picture.
Let's start over and level set on the basics; I think this will help it all click.
(1/21) Cryptography Fundamentals: Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange
How do you share private information over public networks? How can we create mathematically secure secrets? What actually is an encryption key?
A public guide for private communication.
(1/18) Cryptography Basics: Polynomial Encoding
Humans think in words and ideas, machines think in numbers and math; the translation of words into numbers is core to basic computing.
Want to learn about the powers we have in this process? Let's start with Lagrange Polynomials.
(1/7) The Hitchhiker's Guide to
@ethereum
In 2014,
@VitalikButerin
gave us an idea that WILL change the world. Have you wrapped your head around The World Computer yet?
DON'T PANIC, I'll break it down for you. Read on for 4 threads that will show you the future.
(1/13) Cryptography Basics: Zero-Knowledge Proofs
To keep
@ethereum
decentralized & fair, we keep it slow enough for even the most humble nodes to keep up. But what if they didn't have to keep up with the whole network? What if you could just trust the summaries...
Trustlessly.
(1/25) MEV, Flashbots ⚡️🤖 and the Future of
@ethereum
Looking to understand Maximum Extractable Value and the existential risk it presents to The World Computer? Want to know what's being done to address it?
Your primer for the next market-defining narrative of crypto.
(1/20)
@ethereum
Roadmap: State Expiry
As the World Computer attracts more use, the amount of resources needed to keep itself running increases. Today, that burden will increase to infinity, eventually crushing the network.
A roadmap to a sustainable Ethereum.
(1/21) Scaling
@ethereum
: Execution
The World Computer will be the decentralized settlement layer of the internet and of the world. Although Ethereum has successfully Merged, it is still a far from ready for the global stage... for now.
It's time to scale.
(1/23) Blockchain Scaling: Zero-Knowledge Rollups
State Channels → Plasma → Optimistic Rollups → ZK-Rollups
This is how
@ethereum
scales to 100k txn/sec. This is how Ethereum becomes the World Computer.
Your guide to the future of blockchain scaling technology.
(1/20)
@ethereum
Fundamentals: Attestation
Ethereum is made up of 1000s of computers, each contributing to its security by providing their Proof of Stake. But how does it actually work? How do 1000s of computers participate? What are they doing?
A guide to voting with $ETH.
(1/25)
@ethereum
Roadmap:
@eigenlayer
and Trustless Services
Re-staking is coming to change Etheruem, forever. Learn how this new paradigm will enable a new category of services and transform $ETH into the pristine collateral of trustless trust.
A few ideas worth building.
(1/17) Cryptography Basics: Polynomial Commitments
Creating unique digital fingerprints is core to cryptography. We use tools like hashing to provide cryptographic-certainty without revealing any info.
But hashing is so destructive, is there a better way to commit to data?
(1/20)
@ethereum
, Oracles and
@chainlink
: The Communication Layer of Web3
How do smart contracts get info from outside the Ethereum blockchain? How can a protocol interact with a web2 service? How will The World Computer integrate with The Real World?
This thread has answers!
(1/23)
@ethereum
Virtual Machine (EVM)
Ethereum is the World Computer, the future's internet-native global settlement layer. The EVM is the core of Ethereum; it provides the world in which settlement and decentralized computation happens.
Read on to learn about core $ETH tech!
(1/24) Degen's Handbook: A Practical Guide to Elliptic Curve Pairings
Magic is real, elliptic curve pairings are proof. Through incredibly advanced math, pairings allow us to multiply two polynomials... through elliptic curves!
Here's all you need to know.
(1/21) Looking for a De-Fi loan? How does a non-liquidatable, self repaying loan sound?
Let’s talk about one of De-Fi’s most magical protocol:
@AlchemixFi
A refresher on the basics along with the latest updates (Alchemix v2, Elixir $veALCX)
(1/25)
@ethereum
roadmap: Rollups, Danksharding and Settlement Outside the EVM
Rollups are predicated on the idea that the complete, final record exists on-chain. Danksharding is about pushing this data outside the EVM (off-chain).
What does this mean for the Ethereum endgame?
(1/11) Spaceship Ethereum: an Illustrated Metaphor
Have you checked out the
@ethereum
website? They've got some incredible art. Here's a showcase of my favorite illustrations combined with a short fictional narrative.
(1/24)
@ethereum
Fundamentals: Block Proposing and MEV-Boost
What is a block producer? What is MEV-Boost and why is it so important for today's Ethereum? Why do we need long term solutions and what do they look like?
Your guide to trustless block proposing.
(1/18) I would consider myself a De-Fi zealot; I believe SO MUCH that I feel a duty to help bring it to life!
Want to know why? The answer is pretty simple:
@ethereum
is inevitable. De-Fi is simply a better way.
Here is my conviction, built from my experiences in Corporate-Fi.
(1/16)
@ethereum
Basics: Nodes
At the end of the day, Ethereum is running atop IRL computers, each running the software that powers the World Computer. But what actually is a node? How does it relate to the different parts of Ethereum? How do all the pieces communicate?
(1/22)
@ethereum
Consensus: Casper FFG
The World Computer coordinates via Proof of Stake; validators place $ETH at stake in order to participate in the system. But what actually IS this system and how does it achieve consensus?
A guide to Ethereum finality.
(1/24) Are you liking my
@ethereum
roadmap posts? Do you want to further into the future, beyond the roadmap?
Bitcoin was our 0 to 1 for trustless applications. Ethereum for trustless computing.
And soon,
@eigenlayer
will extend $ETH to provide generic, extendable trust.
(1/17) From $ETH to The World Computer: Scalable
@ethereum
Rollups, Proto-Danksharding, PBS, Danksharding, Global Supremacy
A one-page guide (plus bonus resources) to the post-Merge future of Ethereum.
(1/22) Check out the
@CurveFinance
gov board,
@samkazemian
just dropped a proposal...
@fraxfinance
is about to COMPLETELY change the landscape of The Curve Wars. Not in general, the one ON CURVE.
And I think $FRAX is going to win the stablecoin wars.
(1/25)
@Ethereum
Roadmap: Middleware
Think back to 2015, does the Ethereum we have today look like what you were imagining back then?
Now think forward to 2030, or even 2122. What will that version of the World Computer look like?
Are you ready for the Middleware Gold Rush?
(1/24)
@Ethereum
Roadmap: Peer-to-Peer Networking
In order to achieve the vision of the World Computer, Ethereum needs more data bandwidth. But more bandwidth = higher node requirements = centralization. So what's the path forward?
Let's look into the future of the P2P network.
(1/25)
@ethereum
Roadmap: EVM Object Format (EOF)
Ethereum is built to be simple; no entity should gain control just because they are they only one who can manage it. But simplicity has costs. We pay for it with every. single. instruction.
A beginner's guide to EOF.
(1/25)
@ethereum
Fundamentals: Block Proposals
Once every 12 seconds, a block is born. Have you ever thought about how a block is made? Or how it is accepted by the network and added to the blockchain?
Want to know how everything is going to change... again?
(1/28)
@Ethereum
Basics: Accessing the World Computer
In order to access Ethereum, you need a node. But running a node is a big deal, it requires serious hardware, bandwidth and active maintenance.
Today we have centralized solutions, but the future of Ethereum is trustless.
(1/22) There are moments in life where you realize everything is about to change, forever. Understanding FRAXBP is one of those
Two new proposals were posted yesterday; the future is becoming clearer
De-Fi will never be the same
@fraxfinance
🤝
@CurveFinance
🤝
@ConvexFinance
(1/18)
@ethereum
: The World Computer
The Metaphor, the Present and the Future; your guide to the technology backbone of the 21st century
If you're looking for the bigger picture about $ETH, this thread is for you!
(1/25)
@ethereum
Roadmap: Distributed Validator Technology (DVT)
Ethereum is built on a decentralized, resilient network of nodes, but the nodes themselves are centralized and (relatively) fragile... for now.
A guide to DVT,
@ObolNetwork
,
@ssv_network
and tomorrow's Ethereum.
(1/17)
@ethereum
Fundamentals: The (Post-Merge) State Transition Function
The World Computer is a decentralized state machine, let's walk through the state transition function
Sound like nonsense? This thread will explain what happens every time a validator receives a new block
(1/19) Computer Science Fundamentals: Blockchain Computers,
@Bitcoin
and
@ethereum
What is a blockchain computer and what makes it special? How did
@VitalikButerin
build on top of Bitcoin to create Ethereum? Why is Ethereum The World Computer?
This thread has answers!
(1/25)
@ethereum
Fundamentals: Sync Committees and Light Clients
Just about one year ago, the Altair upgrade gave validators a new duty: sync committee. Learn how this core consensus feature enables the end game:
A truly decentralized World Computer
(1/19) Elliptic Curve Cryptography: Trusted Setups
Successful cryptography is cryptography that transforms legible data into digital-static. Before we go big, let's wrap our mind around something simple.
An instruction manual for creating a permanently secret number.
(1/5) Anon, are you ready for
@dopex_io
Atlantic Options?
Now is a great time to study up... the future is around the corner, "only the [user interface implementation] remains."
De-Fi technology is about to get a whole lot cooler!
(1/21) $USDC, $FRAX, $DAI, $sUSD, $MIM, now $GHO, soon $dpxUSD, wen end???
Everyone is issuing their own stablecoin. Why are they doing it? What does it mean? Is this good for De-Fi?
Read on to learn more about stablecoins and their role in De-Fi.
(1/22) As the World Computer gets more use, the size of the EVM's state grows. Unceasing, unrelenting, unending growth. Eventually, the individual computers that make up the network wont be able to keep up.
@VitalikButerin
's theory of
@ethereum
State Size Management.
(1/22) Cryptography Fundamentals: Digital Signatures
The internet is the Wild West; how can our world become increasingly reliant on a system with no authorities... where the only laws that matter are the laws of physics and code?
A guide to (mathematically) trustless trust.
(1/12) Trad-Fi University: Vocab Refresher
Need a cheat sheet for
- DCF
- Compound Interest
- Options
- Futures
- Arbitrage
- Hedging
- Fixed Income
- Working Capital
- OTC
- Delta-Neutral
I got you covered!
(1/20) One of the first reasons I became aware of
@fraxfinance
was because I noticed $FXS incentives all over the place. My gut reaction was "inflationary token, swipe left."
Wow, was that a mistake!
Continue for a deep dive on $FXS.
(1/27)
@ethereum
Roadmap: ZK-EVMs
The path from today's Ethereum to the World Computer of the future is through ZK-EVMs. But not all are made the same, and the field is getting crowded...
Fortunately,
@VitalikButerin
weighed in!
Your guide to ZK-EVMs and VB's ZK-EVM taxonomy.
(1/26)
@ethereum
Scaling:
@0xPolygonLabs
' zkEVM
While we've all been optimistic about Ethereum scaling solutions, a few of the most ambitious builders decided to race ahead to the endgame of the World Computer.
Welcome to the zkEVM era!
(1/30)
@ethereum
Roadmap: Single-Slot Finality
Make an Ethereum transaction; when can you consider it irreversible? At what moment does your transaction change from "pending" to "protected by the value of $ETH?" What is the settlement endgame?
A deep dive on Ethereum finality.
(1/25)
@ethereum
Basics: Consensus Systems
Beneath all these tokens and expensive-jpegs is a distributed platform operated by 1000s of untrusted computers. But how can 1 computer exist on top of 1000s?
Do you understand how Proof of Work and Proof of Stake REALLY work?
(1/17) The World Computer of tomorrow is a rollup-centric
@ethereum
. But rollups produce data, lots and lots of data. How can we scale a growing network without growing bandwidth?
We are going to need a couple solutions, let's start with Randomly Sampled Committees.
(1/20)
@ethereum
Fundamentals: Randomness and RANDAO
Randomness is critical property for crypto and the World Computer. Unfortunately, computers are terrible at generating randomness without external input... and the EVM has no external input.
A guide to untrusted randomness.
(1/29)
@ethereum
Fundamentals: Proof of Stake
We are post-Merge; Ethereum is now secured by validators, 32 $ETH at a time. At first glance, PoS is simple, but under the hood things get complicated.
The ultimate guide to the consensus mechanism at the core of the World Computer.
(1/16)
@ethereum
Consensus: LMD-GHOST
The World Computer coordinates via Proof of Stake. Most of the time, consensus is orderly and the blockchain grows 1 by 1.
But sometimes, a choice appears... and that's why we have our fork-choice rule.
(1/25) Censorship and
@ethereum
In August 2022, the
@USTreasury
displayed uniquely American innovation by sanctioning
@TornadoCash
, sending the crypto community into a frenzy that still flares up to this day.
Here's what happened, and some thoughts on why it's going to be ok.
(1/25) Verifiable Delay Functions and
@ethereum
Have you thought about the randomness at the heart of the World Computer? Do you know where it comes from today, and why it's a problem? Are you watching the bleeding edge of cryptography?
Let's talk about VDFs.
(1/30)
@ethereum
Roadmap: Trustless Bridges
Today, bridging requires trust. Not only does this challenge a core principle of Ethereum, but it has led to SERIOUS pain (via hacks and rugpulls).
Let's look forward to a future of trustless bridging; a guide to what, why and how.
(1/25) "There are three key reasons why PoS is a superior blockchain security mechanism [for
@ethereum
] compared to PoW:
1) PoS offers more security for the same cost
2) Attacks are much easier to recover from in PoS
3) PoS is more decentralized than ASICs"
-
@VitalikButerin
(1/24) KZG Polynomial Commitments: The Complete Guide
Our goal: 1) prove we are committed to a specific set of data and 2) allow others to verify specific points within that dataset.
Want to see some mathematical magic? This megathread is for you!
(1/20) Cryptography Basics: Commitment Schemes
A commitment scheme is a primitive that allows one party to generate a piece of data anchored to a specific dataset.
This anchor (commitment), cannot leak information and yet can unequivocally verify the dataset.
(1/11) Crypto banks. De-Fi money markets. Automated market makers.
Why are we so dull with our metaphors?!?!
Let me help you understand the revolution happening at the center of De-Fi right now. Read on to discover The Flywheel!
@CurveFinance
🤝
@ConvexFinance
🤝
@fraxfinance
(1/23) Coordination in The World Computer:
@ethereum
Consensus
The Merge is weeks away... are you caught up on Proof of Work (PoW), Proof of Stake (PoS) and the systems that form the backbone of Ethereum?
Read up anon, time is running short. The world is about to change forever
(1/19) Blockchain Scaling: Plasma
First there were state channels. There there was Plasma, the first persistent-state scaling solution that settled to
@ethereum
.
Your guide to the precursor to modern blockchain scaling.
(1/23) KZG Commitments Part 1: Commit
Our goal: 1) prove we are committed to specific data and 2) allow others to verify specific points within that dataset.
Before we get started, we need to prepare the data and elliptic curve.... Then, it's time for some magic!
(1/24) The Road to a Scalable, Stateless
@ethereum
The World Computer is booting up. As it gets more use we are all watching the data required to manage its internal state inflate to unsustainable levels.
But Ethereum is not yet complete; let's talk about what's coming.
Sometimes I have to take a step back and appreciate the unique transparency of Ethereum.
As I click through the blogs of Vitalik, Dankrad and so many others I can’t help but feel gratitude that the code, the philosophical musings, the education, EVERYTHING is just… there.
(1/30)
@ethereum
basics: Fee Systems, Before and After EIP-1559
Ethereum is limited by the hardware & bandwidth of its nodes; fee systems work to fairly distribute these resources to any interested in using the World Computer
The original, and the what, why and wow of EIP-1559
(1/11) ~6 weeks ago
@samkazemian
posted a proposal that would change
@fraxfinance
,
@ConvexFinance
and
@CurveFinance
as we know it.
Take a moment, these are the last days. It will be hard to remember what it was like before FRAXBP...
As of this week, the proposal is complete!
(1/25)
@ethereum
Principles: Crypto-Economics
Proof of Work and Proof of Stake are tools we use to build systems devoid of trust. Both consensus mechanisms enable centralized actors (miners/validators) to trustlessly take unilateral actions.
The theory behind trustlessness.