ZK Nethermind Executes Ethereum Blocks

The Nethermind team successfully executed Ethereum mainnet blocks on Zisk, a RISC-V–based zkVM, using ZK-Nethermind.

The Nethermind team successfully executed Ethereum mainnet blocks on Zisk, a RISC-V–based zkVM, using ZK-Nethermind. The milestone shows that their EVM client can operate within zero-knowledge proof systems, paving the way for scalable Ethereum verification. Building on its ZK-Nethermind efforts, including formal verification of RISC-V zkVM circuits with Lean and CertiPlonk for Plonky3, the team overcame RISC-V compilation challenges to enable ZK-compatible Ethereum execution. ZK-Nethermind now moves from research to active development, focusing on full mainnet block compatibility and performance optimization, potentially accelerating Ethereum’s ZK rollup adoption by leveraging existing client infrastructure.

Lido proposed a one-time LDO buyback program, deploying up to 10,000 stETH, currently worth $20m, from the DAO treasury, aiming to take advantage of what it believed to be an undervaluation of LDO. The initiative is separate from its planned long-term automated buyback system (NEST). The proposal argues that LDO is significantly undervalued relative to ETH. The LDO/ETH ratio isaround 0.00016, roughly 63% below its two-year median. LDO is currently trading near $0.29. Execution would occur in controlled batches of 1,000 stETH, using limit orders and dollar-cost averaging to minimize slippage and market impact. Lido remains the largest liquid staking provider, with over 8.9 million ETH staked, representing about 23% market share.

Ethereum core developer Carl Beek launched quickslots.info, an information hub detailing EIP-8198 (“Quick Slots”), which proposes variable slot timing infrastructure to enable slots shorter than the current 12 seconds. The proposal specifically targets a reduction to 8-second slots, while maintaining throughput per second. Shorter slots would enhance Ethereum’s user experience with faster transaction confirmations, deposits, and payments. They also improve protocol efficiency by tightening DEX pricing, reducing MEV surplus, lowering empty block occurrence, accelerating sequencing for base rollups, and decreasing reliance on preconfirmations.

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Disclaimer: Content is for informational purposes only, not endorsement or investment advice. The accuracy of information is not guaranteed.

The Nethermind team successfully executed Ethereum mainnet blocks on Zisk, a RISC-V–based zkVM, using ZK-Nethermind. The milestone shows that their EVM client can operate within zero-knowledge proof systems, paving the way for scalable Ethereum verification. Building on its ZK-Nethermind efforts, including formal verification of RISC-V zkVM circuits with Lean and CertiPlonk for Plonky3, the team overcame RISC-V compilation challenges to enable ZK-compatible Ethereum execution. ZK-Nethermind now moves from research to active development, focusing on full mainnet block compatibility and performance optimization, potentially accelerating Ethereum’s ZK rollup adoption by leveraging existing client infrastructure.

Lido proposed a one-time LDO buyback program, deploying up to 10,000 stETH, currently worth $20m, from the DAO treasury, aiming to take advantage of what it believed to be an undervaluation of LDO. The initiative is separate from its planned long-term automated buyback system (NEST). The proposal argues that LDO is significantly undervalued relative to ETH. The LDO/ETH ratio isaround 0.00016, roughly 63% below its two-year median. LDO is currently trading near $0.29. Execution would occur in controlled batches of 1,000 stETH, using limit orders and dollar-cost averaging to minimize slippage and market impact. Lido remains the largest liquid staking provider, with over 8.9 million ETH staked, representing about 23% market share.

Ethereum core developer Carl Beek launched quickslots.info, an information hub detailing EIP-8198 (“Quick Slots”), which proposes variable slot timing infrastructure to enable slots shorter than the current 12 seconds. The proposal specifically targets a reduction to 8-second slots, while maintaining throughput per second. Shorter slots would enhance Ethereum’s user experience with faster transaction confirmations, deposits, and payments. They also improve protocol efficiency by tightening DEX pricing, reducing MEV surplus, lowering empty block occurrence, accelerating sequencing for base rollups, and decreasing reliance on preconfirmations.

• Ethereal news weekly #17

• CROPS inspector

• Synthesis closing ceremony

• PolygonPoS hits 10k checkpoints

• Bread co-op embeds Kohaku

Disclaimer: Content is for informational purposes only, not endorsement or investment advice. The accuracy of information is not guaranteed.

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