Vitalik Buterin’s Modexp Meltdown: The ZK Drama You Didn’t See Coming 🚀

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So, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin casually dropped a truth bomb 💣: the network’s modular exponentiation (modexp) precompile is basically the Kardashian of ZK scaling-high maintenance and not worth the drama. 🙃

In a recent X post (because, apparently, tweets are for peasants now), Buterin called modexp “by far the worst offender” in ZK-EVM prover inefficiency. Like, it’s 50 times more complex than your average block. FIFTY TIMES. That’s like trying to explain quantum physics to a goldfish. 🐠

Modexp seems to be by far the worst offender in terms of ZK-EVM prover-unfriendliness; up to 50x worse than average blocks.

We really should do an EIP to replace the precompile with computationally equivalent EVM code (which would cost more gas)

Very few apps need modexp (it’s…

– vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) November 3, 2025

Translation? Ethereum should probably yeet 🚮 this precompile out the window and replace it with something less headache-inducing, even if it costs more gas. Because, apparently, modexp is the crypto equivalent of holding onto your Nokia 3310 in the age of folding smartphones. 📱

Legacy Code: The Boomer of Ethereum

Modexp is like that one uncle who still insists on using fax machines 📠-it’s ancient, inefficient, and nobody really wants it around anymore. Designed to handle modular exponentiation (fancy math for RSA encryption and digital signatures), it’s now being outperformed by SNARK-based systems. You know, the cool kids on the blockchain block. 🏆

Buterin, who basically invented modexp, admitted it’s become a burden. Like, it’s slowing down ZK-proof generation, making everything more expensive and complicated. It’s also exposing the protocol to unnecessary risks because, surprise, nobody wants to debug spaghetti code from 2015. 🍝

He’s basically saying, “Stop trying to fix it. Just toss it and focus on better things.” Which is probably what your therapist would tell you about that toxic ex. 👋

Cryptography Glow-Up 💅

Buterin’s critique of modexp is part of his broader mission to streamline Ethereum’s cryptographic systems. Like Marie Kondo, but for blockchain. He’s even introduced the GKR protocol (fancy math-speak for “let’s speed this up”) and urged developers to use clearer performance metrics. Because, apparently, raw speed isn’t everything. Who knew? 🤷‍♀️

His ultimate goal? Simplify Ethereum’s core and make sure its security tools can handle the network’s growth without breaking a sweat. 💪 He’s all about SNARKs and ZK proofs now-modern cryptography that’s faster, stronger, and doesn’t rely on old-school methods like RSA. Think of it as upgrading from dial-up to fiber optic. 🌐

So, will Ethereum finally kick modexp to the curb? Stay tuned. This might just be the blockchain equivalent of a breakup anthem. 🎶

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2025-11-04 11:24