The ZK Trend of Ethereum and Potential Economic Model Transformation

Ethereum is gradually introducing zero-knowledge proof (ZK) technology, which not only helps with network scalability and privacy protection but may also have a profound impact on its economic model. With the application of ZK technology in the consensus layer and data layer, Ethereum's performance is expected to improve significantly.

However, generating zero-knowledge proofs is a computationally intensive process that requires specialized hardware acceleration. This hardware dependence raises an interesting possibility: ZK mining could become a new type of proof of work (PoW) mechanism.

This new type of mining model may coexist with the existing Proof of Stake (PoS) mechanism, forming a hybrid consensus model. In this model, stakers can not only earn traditional PoS rewards by staking ETH but also receive additional rewards by running ZK proof generation nodes. This approach not only enhances network security but also provides more incentives for participants.

The introduction of ZK mining may bring new positive externalities to Ethereum. Although it still requires specialized hardware, it could significantly reduce ineffective energy consumption compared to traditional PoW, while still promoting hardware production and technological innovation.

It is worth noting that the development of ZK technology may lead to the emergence of the ZK computing power market, which might even share resources with AI computing power. In the future, there may be comprehensive computing service platforms that support AI and ZK tasks, achieving dynamic allocation and efficient utilization of resources.

In the field of ZK hardware acceleration, projects like Cysic and Scroll have already shown a leading advantage. Cysic focuses on providing hardware acceleration services for the entire ZK ecosystem, while Scroll incorporates it as part of its Layer 2 solution.

As Ethereum becomes increasingly ZK-oriented, ZK hardware acceleration technology will become more and more important. This trend may not only change Ethereum's economic model but also have a profound impact on the entire blockchain industry. Therefore, keeping a close eye on the development of the ZK hardware acceleration track is crucial for understanding the future direction of blockchain technology.