Ethereum Research offers solution to centralization problem

New research on Ethereum suggests a decentralized random block proposal system to replace the current architecture that has concentrated power among a few entities.

Despite Ethereum’s (ETH) shift to Proof of Stake and adoption of Proposer-Builder Separation (PBS), approximately 80% of Ethereum blocks are currently proposed by just two entities. This concentration undermines the network’s decentralized foundation and allows these entities to hold most of the maximum extractable value (MEV).

The proposed solution would fundamentally change Ethereum’s block creation process. Instead of specialized builders constructing blocks, all Ethereum clients (like Geth and Nethermind) would use an identical random algorithm to select transactions and roll-up blobs from their local mempools.

This randomization would ensure no entity could predict or control transaction ordering. As per the research, this could effectively eliminate block-level MEV such as arbitrage and front-running opportunities.

This approach could potentially reduce Ethereum’s current 12-second slot time to 6-8 seconds while supporting Danksharding’s future roll-up requirements.

Decentralization report comes amidst Ethereum leadership changes

The timing of this research coincides with leadership changes at the Ethereum Foundation. Core developer Tim Beiko characterized these shifts as “one of the most consequential turning points in Ethereum’s history” in a recent X post.

Beiko praised the appointment of Hsiao-Wei Wang and Tomasz Stanczak as co-executive directors of the Ethereum Foundation. He described it as striking “the right balance” between optimization and preserving Ethereum’s core values.

Wang brings seven years of experience as an Ethereum researcher with contributions to the beacon chain, while Stanczak offers his background as a developer and organizational leader at Nethermind.

“While it’s clear that many things need to change for Ethereum to win, it’s easy to overcorrect and kill the magic in search of maximal optimization,” Beiko wrote. He suggested that these leadership changes would help Ethereum stay “anchored to OG values while staying relevant for newcomers.”

Despite his optimism, Beiko acknowledged the challenges ahead: “There’s a lot of work ahead of us and we shouldn’t delude ourselves into taking for granted that Ethereum will succeed at the level of its ambitions.”