Vitalik Buterin Unveils Redesigned Ethereum Transaction Model

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed a new transaction model for the Ethereum network, which could allow it to process some validation work in parallel. This redesign separates transaction actions from dependencies so that each component can be optimized independently later.

The proposal divides transactions into two components: 'actions' and 'dependencies'. Actions change Ethereum's state, such as transferring ETH or calling a contract, while dependencies cover the information required to establish that a transaction is valid. This includes digital signatures, Merkle proofs, zero-knowledge proofs, and state conditions.

The new model would allow nodes to check these dependencies separately and in parallel, rather than combining authorization, fee payment, and execution within a common processing flow. This could reward predictable transactions with lower gas costs, while still preserving Ethereum's flexible account system for transactions that need it.