Vitalik Buterin states Ethereum's ZK speed race is won, prioritizing security for zkEVMs

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin stated that the race for fast zero-knowledge proofs is over, and the top priority for zkEVMs must shift fully to security. This follows ZKsync's claim that its Airbender Prime prover delivered 99% of proofs in under 10 seconds across 7,200 consecutive mainnet blocks using a single graphics card. ZK proofs could allow Ethereum validators to check short proofs instead of re-running every transaction, potentially reducing validator work per block, which occurs every 12 seconds. Buterin outlined three tests for zkEVMs: matching the Ethereum specification, capping prover cost against block gas, and relying on a sound proof system, all requiring formal verification. He noted that a faster prover is a ZKsync tool, not an Ethereum protocol change, and will not directly affect ETH supply, fees, or staking rewards.