How Parallelized EVMs Will Save Blockchain from Inscription Chaos?

Robert John
CryptoNiche
Published in
4 min readJan 22, 2024

The Genesis of Digital Collectibles

Bitcoin’s Taproot Upgrade in 2021 was akin to a technological awakening. It wasn’t just an upgrade; it was the spark that ignited the era of digital collectibles on the Bitcoin network. Picture this — suddenly, users had the power to embed data into a transaction’s “witness” field, opening the floodgates to a new world of possibilities. But the enthusiasm didn’t stop at Bitcoin’s doorstep. It cascaded into Ethereum sidechains and layer-2s, turning the overflow into a digital collectible phenomenon.

Beyond the realm of Bitcoin, the Ethereum network became the canvas for a vibrant tapestry of digital collectibles. The allure wasn’t just about ownership; it was about cost-effectiveness. The “calldata” field in Ethereum Virtual Machines (EVMs) became the secret ingredient, making inscriptions not only unique but also more economical compared to traditional nonfungible tokens (NFTs). The rise of efficiency in handling transactions ushered in a new era of digital collectibles, transforming them from a niche interest to a widespread craze.

The Allure of Inscriptions

The Calldata Advantage is where the magic happens. It’s not just about pictures and tokens; it’s about the intelligent use of data fields that makes inscriptions a cost-effective marvel. Imagine this — the “calldata” field in EVM-based networks serves as the gateway to more efficient and affordable transactions. This technical prowess is what made digital collectibles, powered by inscriptions, a sought-after choice for creators and collectors alike.

The Rise of Efficiency isn’t just a testament to innovation; it’s a story of unintended consequences. The cost efficiency of inscriptions led to a surge in transactions, creating a bustling marketplace of digital collectibles. However, with great popularity came great challenges. Elevated fees and network instability became the dark side of this efficiency. The turning point? Arbitrum’s 70-minute outage on December 15, a stark reminder of the blockchain under siege.

The Dark Side: Blockchain Under Siege

Performance Deterioration

Fee Surge and Instability — the aftermath of success. The surge in inscription transactions not only attracted creators and collectors but also unwarranted consequences. The fees associated with transactions skyrocketed, making them less appealing to users. Network instability, like a disruptive storm, rattled the very foundation of blockchain ecosystems. Imagine trying to navigate a crowded highway — it becomes chaotic, unpredictable, and frustrating.

Arbitrum’s 70-Minute Outage was more than just a glitch; it was a wake-up call. The sheer volume of inscription spam paralyzed the network for over an hour, exposing the vulnerability of existing infrastructures. It was a moment of realization — blockchain needed a superhero to save it from the chaos, and that superhero came in the form of parallelized EVMs.

Enter Parallelized EVMs

Understanding Parallelization

Sequential Woes — the Achilles’ heel of traditional EVMs. Every transaction executed sequentially, a linear procession that became a bottleneck. Now, imagine this — a breakthrough concept where unrelated transactions can dance together, processed concurrently. Parallelization is the game-changer that promises to liberate blockchain from the shackles of sequential limitations.

Polygon’s Strides with Block-STM are the tangible steps towards this liberation. It’s not just a theory; it’s a proven improvement in performance. A 1.6x boost is not a mere statistic; it’s a beacon signaling the potential of parallelized EVMs. This isn’t confined to Polygon; the concept, initially proposed by Solana developers, is spreading its wings across various blockchains, including Aptos and Monad. Parallelization isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a movement.

Farmer’s Vision: A Holistic Approach

Parallelization + Localized Gas Fees

Enhancing Throughput is not a theoretical dream but a practical necessity. Farmer envisions a world where parallelization significantly enhances blockchain throughput. Imagine this — a network that doesn’t succumb to the pressure of inscription spam, where unrelated transactions coexist harmoniously. Parallelization isn’t just a fix; it’s a revolution.

Localized Gas Fees, a future strategy yet to be implemented on Polygon but firmly part of their goals, is the epitome of customization. It’s not about one-size-fits-all; it’s about tailoring gas fees to specific transaction types. Imagine this — a tailored approach that ensures one transaction’s surge doesn’t cast a shadow over others, creating a fair and efficient ecosystem.

The Ultimate Vision

Combining Forces isn’t just a collaboration; it’s a synergy that Farmer envisions. Parallelization combined with increased block space through layer-2 ecosystems like Polygon 2.0 is the ultimate vision. It’s not just about fixing what’s broken; it’s about future-proofing blockchain. Imagine this — a resilient, efficient, and stable blockchain that stands tall against spam attacks, embracing the rising tide of digital collectibles.

Conclusion

The Journey Ahead is not just about survival; it’s about thriving in the blockchain renaissance. Parallelized EVMs aren’t just a solution; they’re the architects of a new era. Rescuing blockchain from chaos isn’t just a task; it’s a collective journey. Digital collectibles 2.0 isn’t just a concept; it’s the future we’re stepping into, hand in hand with the savior — parallelized EVMs.

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CryptoNiche
CryptoNiche

Published in CryptoNiche

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Robert John
Robert John

Written by Robert John

Web3 professional experienced in blockchain development and skilled in writing engaging content on emerging technologies.