Ethereum plans to limit single transaction gas use to 16.77 million to boost network stability and security.
The new cap will stop one transaction from using all block gas and reduce risks from spam or DoS attacks.
The change helps zero knowledge systems by making large transactions split into smaller and easier parts.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and researcher Toni Wahrstätter have introduced EIP-7983. This new proposal sets a cap on gas usage for individual transactions. The proposed cap stands at 16.77 million gas units. This change aims to enhance Ethereum’s network stability and prevent misuse of block capacity.
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Currently, one transaction can use the full block gas limit. This allows potential denial-of-service attacks. Such attacks can clog the network and cause performance issues. The new proposal seeks to prevent these risks by distributing gas usage more evenly.
Impact on Network Security
The absence of a gas cap creates opportunities for network abuse. A single transaction consuming too much gas can slow down block validation. This also affects transaction finality and user experience. With the proposed cap, high-gas transactions would no longer be accepted.
By capping gas usage, the network can reduce its vulnerability to spam attacks. This provides more predictable performance and stable transaction processing. The cap helps prevent one transaction from affecting an entire block’s capacity.
Compatibility With zkVMs
The proposed change supports better integration with zero-knowledge virtual machines. High-gas transactions are often too large for zkVMs, which Ethereum has invested millions in. By encouraging smaller chunks, the cap helps maintain compatibility. This also allows more efficient zkVM circuit designs.
Smaller transactions are easier to validate across distributed systems. This improves scalability for zk-based applications. Developers will need to split complex tasks into manageable parts, ensuring more uniform block construction.
Implementation and Effect
Once implemented, transactions exceeding 16.77 million gas will be rejected. These transactions will not enter blocks or reach validation. The limit applies independently of the block’s total gas cap, which remains adjustable by validators.
The 16.77 million gas value was chosen to balance function and performance. It supports advanced DeFi operations without increasing complexity. Most current transactions already stay within this limit.
The change builds on earlier proposals like EIP-7825. That version proposed a higher cap but saw limited adoption. The current draft provides a more practical threshold for immediate use. It aligns with efforts to simplify Ethereum’s base protocol and improve reliability.
The proposal introduces no backward compatibility. However, it impacts only a small percentage of current transactions. Developers and users will need minor adjustments. The proposed limit ensures better resource distribution and a more secure transaction environment.
