This article delves into EIP-4844 and its pivotal role in Ethereum's roadmap implementation.
Introduction
Ethereum's mass adoption faces a critical barrier: high gas fees for transactions and interactions. As on-chain activity surges, gas fees spike, deterring users. To enhance L1+L2 performance and address gas costs, Ethereum Foundation proposed EIP-4844 as an interim solution.
EIP-4844 introduces blob-carrying transactions, a new transaction type with additional data storage (blobs) that’s cheaper and more efficient than current calldata. Unlike EVM-accessible blocks, blobs are temporarily available and stored on the consensus layer, significantly reducing costs.
Key Features of EIP-4844
Blob-Carrying Transactions
- Blobs store large data volumes (~1 MB per slot) at lower costs.
- EVM cannot access blob data directly—only commitments are visible.
- Separates execution layer (computations) from consensus layer (data storage).
Proto-Danksharding
- A stepping stone to full Danksharding, implementing its framework without actual sharding.
- Named after researchers Proto Lambda and Dankrad Feist.
- Targets ~1,000 TPS initially, with future upgrades scaling to 100,000 TPS.
Ethereum’s Upgrade Timeline
| Year | Upgrade | Key Achievement |
|--------------|-----------------------|------------------------------------------|
| Dec 2020 | Beacon Chain Launch | PoS consensus via ETH staking. |
| Sep 2022 | The Merge | Combined execution + consensus layers. |
| Apr 2023 | Shanghai Upgrade | Enabled ETH staking withdrawals. |
| 2024 (TBD) | Cancun Upgrade (EIP-4844) | Proto-Danksharding implementation. |
Sharding and Danksharding
Sharding
- Splits the blockchain into parallel shard chains to boost throughput.
- Early plans shifted to Danksharding for scalability.
Danksharding
- Uses blobs to expand data capacity for L2 rollups.
- Merges fee markets to streamline transaction selection.
- Targets 100,000 TPS (L1+L2 combined).
Why Proto-Danksharding First?
- Simplifies transition by isolating complexity to the consensus layer.
- Lays groundwork for full Danksharding without immediate sharding.
How EIP-4844 Reduces Gas Fees
Current Challenges
- Calldata costs scale poorly with high activity (max ~1.8 MB blocks).
- EIP-4488 proposed cheaper calldata but lacked long-term flexibility.
EIP-4844’s Solution
- Introduces multidimensional EIP-1559 fee markets for blobs.
- Caps blob count per block to balance load and cost.
- Separates blob storage (consensus layer) from execution.
👉 Discover how Ethereum’s L2 solutions leverage EIP-4844
Data Storage and Future Upgrades
Storage Options
- Annual blob data: ~2.5 TB.
- EIP-4444 may auto-expire old blobs, with decentralized protocols (e.g., IPFS, The Graph) storing history.
Post-EIP-4844 Roadmap
- The Verge: Introduces Verkle trees for scalability.
- Full Danksharding: Implements actual sharding.
Impact of EIP-4844
- Cost Reduction: L2 fees drop 10–100x.
- Scalability: Prepares for full sharding with minimal future upgrades.
- User Experience: Faster, cheaper L2 transactions.
- Economic Model: First step toward multidimensional fee markets.
FAQs
Q: When will EIP-4844 launch?
A: Expected in late 2024 as part of the Cancun upgrade.
Q: How do blobs differ from calldata?
A: Blobs are cheaper, larger, and EVM-inaccessible, stored on the consensus layer.
Q: Will EIP-4844 increase TPS?
A: Initially to ~1,000 TPS; full Danksharding aims for 100,000 TPS.
👉 Explore Ethereum’s L2 ecosystem post-EIP-4844
Conclusion
EIP-4844 is a transformative upgrade, reducing gas fees and paving the way for Danksharding. By decoupling data storage from execution, it enhances scalability while simplifying future transitions. For users, this means affordable L2 transactions and a robust foundation for Ethereum’s growth.
Stay tuned for the Cancun upgrade—Ethereum’s next leap toward scalability.