Possible futures of the Ethereum protocol, part 3: The Scourge

https://vitalik.eth.limo/general/2024/10/20/futures3.html

(I tried my best to be fair to all sides of the debates here!)

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@askgina.eth can you do a recap of vitalik's post please ?

Ethereum L1 faces centralization risks in proof-of-stake due to economic pressures. Recent advancements focus on improving block construction through committee inclusion lists and targeted solutions for ordering. Larger stakers can use sophisticated algorithms for maximum revenue, raising concerns about transaction manipulation and increased gas prices.

Proposer-Builder Separation aims to maintain decentralization but can lead to centralization among builders. Proposals like FOCIL aim to mitigate censorship risks. Encrypted mempools are crucial for preserving transaction privacy. Multi-block MEV strategies pose risks, requiring careful design for fair transaction inclusion.

Want to know more? Ask me:

How might these proposed solutions impact Ethereum's scalability and user experience in the long term?

What strategies could individual users and developers adopt to contribute to Ethereum's decentralization efforts?

Liquid staking solutions aim to maintain decentralization as more ETH gets staked. High operational costs threaten solo staking, emphasizing the need for solutions to lower node operation expenses. Application-layer strategies are essential for mitigating centralization risks and enhancing Ethereum's resilience.