Ethereum is actively pursuing the integration of zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs directly into its Layer 1 (L1) execution validation process. This represents a significant architectural evolution for the protocol, often described as one of the most transformative changes since The Merge.
Ethereum is shifting from the current model—where validators must re-execute every transaction in a block to verify correctness—to an optional system where validators can instead verify compact ZK proofs of correct execution. This uses zkEVM technology to prove that transactions were executed properly without requiring full re-computation on every node.
The first dedicated L1-zkEVM breakout call/workshop occurred on February 11, 2026. It covered progress across multiple workstreams—including execution witness standardization, zkVM-guest APIs, consensus layer integration, prover infrastructure, benchmarking, and formal verification—with a recording now available for deeper review.
This marks the transition from research to active implementation coordination, with Ethereum researchers noting substantial momentum and follow-up calls planned roughly every 4 weeks.
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Verification becomes dramatically lighter: proof checking is orders of magnitude cheaper/faster than re-execution. This could drop hardware needs back to consumer laptops or low-end devices, slashing storage, bandwidth, and CPU/GPU demands.
Home/solo stakers regain viability even as gas limits rise, countering centralization pressures from high resource costs. Safer gas limit increases become feasible without overwhelming nodes. Ethereum could achieve higher throughput natively, stabilizing fees, reducing congestion, and enabling long-term execution scaling—potentially complementing or reducing reliance on L2 rollups for certain use cases.
EIP-8025 (Optional Execution Proofs): This Ethereum Improvement Proposal introduces an opt-in mechanism. Validators (termed “zkAttesters”) can choose to attest to blocks by checking ZK execution proofs rather than running a full execution client.
It preserves backward compatibility—no mandatory fork or upgrade is needed for existing nodes—and maintains client diversity by requiring verification of multiple independent proofs, 3 out of 5 for acceptance.
L1-zkEVM 2026 Roadmap
The Ethereum Foundation’s zkEVM team released a detailed plan in late January 2026, focusing on six areas: Execution witness and guest program standardization. zkVM-guest API standardization. Consensus layer integration. Prover infrastructure. Benchmarking and metrics. Security with formal verification. Dramatically lowers hardware requirements for running full nodes potentially back to consumer laptops. Reduces synchronization times from hours to minutes. Enables higher gas limits and long-term L1 scaling.
Supports future features like ePBS (Ethereum Protocol Buffers Something likely execution pipelining) in the Glamsterdam upgrade, native rollups, and better decentralization for home validators. This is in active development and prototyping, not yet live on mainnet.
The first dedicated L1-zkEVM workshop is scheduled for February 11, 2026, to discuss progress and next steps. Ethereum researcher ladislaus.eth; an Ethereum Foundation contributor recently detailed this shift, emphasizing it’s an alternative validation path rather than a simple “add ZK” feature.
This builds on years of ZK advancements in Ethereum’s Layer 2 ecosystem— zk-rollups like zkSync, Starknet, Polygon zkEVM, but now brings similar proof-based verification to the base layer itself for execution correctness. Real-time proving demos and infrastructure from teams like Succinct, RISC Zero, and others have already shown proofs generated in under 12 seconds for mainnet-like blocks, aligning with the Foundation’s targets.
In short, Ethereum is “eyeing” and actively building toward this integration to make validation faster, cheaper, more accessible, and scalable—potentially ushering in a new era of L1 throughput while keeping decentralization intact. The February 11 workshop should provide more concrete updates on timelines and implementation details.
Alameda Research Distributes $15.6M in SOL to Creditors
Alameda Research’s bankruptcy estate has distributed approximately $15.6 million worth of Solana (SOL) to creditors in its latest monthly payout, as reported on February 12, 2026.
This transfer involved sending roughly $15.60 million in SOL to 25 separate addresses. The distribution is part of an ongoing structured repayment plan that has now been running for 21 months since the collapse of FTX and its affiliated trading firm, Alameda Research, in late 2022.
Blockchain analytics platform Arkham highlighted the move, noting that Alameda’s on-chain wallets still hold about $314.95 million worth of SOL following this tranche. These periodic in-kind distributions of SOL and potentially other assets aim to repay creditors without necessarily liquidating everything at once into fiat or other forms, though recipients may choose to sell.
The news has drawn attention from traders monitoring potential market impact, given SOL’s price sensitivity to large transfers from legacy FTX/Alameda holdings. However, the amounts in each monthly batch remain relatively modest compared to the estate’s remaining assets.
This continues the broader FTX/Alameda bankruptcy process, where asset liquidations and distributions are managed to maximize creditor recoveries while minimizing market disruption.
The $15.6 million SOL distribution from Alameda’s bankruptcy estate to creditors on February 12, 2026, represents a routine monthly tranche in the ongoing FTX/Alameda repayment process, now in its 21st month. This structured approach—distributing assets in-kind primarily SOL to ~25 creditor addresses—aims to repay obligations without aggressive bulk liquidation that could flood the market.
This continues steady recoveries for FTX/Alameda victims and other claimants. Distributions have been consistent and predictable, helping restore confidence in the bankruptcy process. Many creditors receive SOL directly, which they can hold, stake, or sell based on their strategy—potentially providing upside if SOL appreciates over time.
The amount ($15.6M) is modest relative to SOL’s circulating supply and daily trading volume (SOL trades around $80–$81 in recent data, implying roughly ~193,000 SOL transferred). Past large FTX/Alameda-related unlocks or sales have occasionally sparked short-term selling pressure and FUD, but this batch’s size and in-kind nature limit immediate downside risk.
Traders are watching closely, but the impact has historically been muted when distributions are gradual and transparent. No major price dump has been reported from this specific event so far. The estate still controls ~$315 million in SOL on-chain, meaning similar monthly payouts could continue for years, creating a slow, predictable supply overhang rather than a sudden shock.
This fits into a careful, court-supervised liquidation strategy that prioritizes minimizing market disruption while maximizing creditor value. The estate has used similar tactics for other assets, showing a measured approach. Full resolution remains ongoing, with SOL forming a significant portion of remaining distributable assets.
Neutral to mildly cautious in the short term—it’s more “business as usual” than a major catalyst. The crypto community views these as positive signs of progress in unwinding the 2022 collapse, though lingering overhang concerns persist until holdings drop further.
If SOL’s ecosystem momentum like adoption, DeFi activity stays strong, these distributions could even be absorbed without meaningful pressure. Arkham’s original tracking post and related on-chain coverage show the transfers to multiple addresses and remaining wallet balances.