Buterin: zkEVM speed race ends, focus shifts to security

4.3 Tech

Oct 15, 2026

Vitalik Buterin ended the zkEVM speed race, urging focus on security. He set three priorities: proof accuracy, cost limits, and proof system security as ZK proofs become central to Ethereum.

Vitalik Buterin has announced the end of the speed competition in zero-knowledge Ethereum technology, urging developers to focus on security. In a series of posts, he congratulated the ZKsync Airbender team for their achievements and emphasized that the main challenge ahead is ensuring robust security. Buterin outlined three top priorities for formal verification: first, that the mathematical structure of proofs must align with Ethereum’s technical requirements; second, that there should be strict upper limits on proof generation costs relative to gas per block; and third, that the proof system itself must be secure. He warned that fast but inaccurate proofs or excessive costs could threaten Ethereum’s integrity and decentralization. This renewed focus on security comes as zero-knowledge proofs are set to play a larger role in Ethereum’s roadmap, particularly in block verification.