• Vitalik proposes replacing EVM with RISC-V.

• Circle introduces the Circle Payments Network.

• ZKsync sends an onchain message to its exploiter.

• Zerion launches Zerion Copilot.

Vitalik Buterin proposed replacing the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) with RISC-V, a widely adopted open-source instruction set architecture, with the goal of future-proofing Ethereum Layer 1 scalability. The EVM is the runtime environment in Ethereum’s execution layer that executes smart contracts and maintains state. According to Vitalik, adopting RISC-V could improve prover efficiency by up to 100x, significantly reducing zero-knowledge (ZK) proving costs and simplifying the execution layer. Vitalik notes that smart contracts could still be written in Solidity or Vyper, and existing EVM contracts would remain fully compatible with RISC-V.

Circle introduced the Circle Payments Network (CPN), a global settlement infrastructure platform for financial institutions to enable near-instant, cross-border payments using Circle’s USDC and EURC stablecoins. The network offers a compliant, programmable, and efficient alternative to traditional cross-border payment systems. CPN supports invoice payments, payroll and contractor payouts, remittances, treasury operations, and liquidity management. The platform is designed for banks, fintechs, and payment service providers, all of whom must meet compliance standards. The network will launch in a limited release starting May 2025.

ZKsync sent an onchain message to the attacker who exploited over 100 million ZK tokens from its airdrop contract. ZKsync is offering a 10% bounty if 90% of the stolen funds are returned within 72 hours. The exploit, which occurred last week, was caused by a compromised admin key used to mint unclaimed tokens. ZKsync noted that approximately 70% of the stolen assets remain on ZKsync Era. In response, Matter Labs—ZKsync Era’s sole sequencer—has implemented transaction filtering to block the exploiter’s addresses from transferring out funds. The attacker has not returned the funds at the time of writing.

Zerion launched Zerion Copilot, an AI-powered wallet assistant that helps users analyze wallets, discover yield opportunities, rebalance their portfolios, suggest actions, and identify trending tokens. Built on the Loomlay no-code AI platform, the feature is now live in beta.

• ZORA launching on 23rd April

• Unichain 5th largest rollup by TVL

• Coinbase vs SEC update

• Prysm v6.0.0 release

• Tomasz comments on EF priorities

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

• Developers add BPO EIP-7892 to Fusaka.

• SEC crypto custody roundtable agenda.

• JustaName introduces an ENS wayback machine.

During this week’s ACD Execution Layer call #155, Ethereum core developers agreed to move EIP-7892 to Scheduled for Inclusion (SFI) status for Fusaka, the upgrade planned after Pectra later this year. EIP-7892 introduces Blob-Parameter-Only (BPO) Forks, lightweight hard forks that adjust only two parameters: blob targets and blob limits. BPO forks aim to strike a balance between solo staker bandwidth and Layer 2 data availability demands to support scalable blob transactions. Fusaka’s inclusion list now features PeerDAS, EOF, and BPO. Developers also moved EIP-7917 to Considered for Inclusion (CFI). EIP-7917 proposes a deterministic proposer schedule embedded in the beacon state at the start of each epoch, enabling better predictability for preconfirmation protocols.

The SEC released the agenda for its upcoming crypto custody roundtable, “Know Your Custodian: Key Considerations for Crypto Custody,” taking place on April 25, 2025. The event will explore legal and regulatory issues surrounding crypto custody, with a focus on broker-dealer and investment adviser frameworks. Established in January 2021, the SEC’s Crypto Task Force—led by Commissioner Hester Peirce—seeks to build a clear regulatory framework for crypto assets. Its mission includes setting registration guidelines, encouraging innovation, addressing fraud, and coordinating with domestic and international regulators.

JustaName introduced ENSvolution.xyz, a Wayback Machine for tracking historical updates to ENS domain names. The tool provides a timeline of onchain events such as text record changes, profile updates, resolver changes, and content hash modifications. It leverages ENSNode by Namehash Labs to query Ethereum Name Service (ENS) data without relying on The Graph’s subgraphs. JustaName plans to expand support to include transfers, registrations, and expiry dates.

• Herd launches explorer

• How to become a core dev

• Fidelity on Pectra upgrade

• Polygon partners with Jio

See disclosures

• EigenLayer activates slashing on mainnet.

• Timeboost goes live on Arbitrum chains.

• Fabric introduces an inbox for based rollups.

• Ethena introduces a modular RWA chain

EigenLayer launched slashing on mainnet, marking the completion of its core protocol launch. Slashing allows Actively Validated Services (AVSs) to enforce accountability by penalizing operators who violate service-level conditions, such as incorrect computation or liveness failures. The upgrade introduces two critical enforcement mechanisms. First, Unique Stake Allocation lets Operators assign specific portions of their stake to individual AVSs, isolating slashing risk and clarifying responsibilities. Second, Operator Sets enable AVSs to group operators with custom slashing rules. Early adopters of EigenLayer slashing include LayerZero and Infura DIN.

Arbitrum launched Timeboost on Arbitrum One and Arbitrum Nova mainnet. Timeboost is a transaction ordering policy that allows users to optionally pay a fee for priority block inclusion while mitigating the impact of MEV. The policy uses an encrypted mempool, ensuring that transaction details remain hidden until the transaction order is finalized. Timeboost auctions currently occur nearly every minute, achieving a 70–90% utilization rate. To participate, users must deposit WETH into the auction contract before submitting bids. The activation aims to reduce network congestion, protect users from MEV attacks and generate new revenue for the Arbitrum DAO. 

Fabric, a collaborative initiative focused on developing standards for rollup infrastructure, introduced Retroactive Attestation of Inbox Data (RAID) — a new inbox design for Ethereum rollups adopting based sequencing. Rollups require an inbox to accept transaction data such as blobs. In based sequencing, Ethereum L1 proposers also serve as rollup sequencers. RAID enables based rollups to use a secure and decentralized inbox model that supports preconfirmations without needing real-time knowledge of the current L1 proposer. With RAID, anyone can submit blobs, which are then filtered. Validation occurs retroactively, and valid blobs are promoted to the safeHead, which rollups use to derive state.

Ethena Labs, in collaboration with Securitize, introduced Converge, a modular Layer 2 network focused on Real World Assets (RWAs). Built on the Arbitrum Orbit stack, Converge leverages Celestia for data availability and uses a custom G2 sequencer developed by Conduit. The network includes the Converge Validator Network (CVN)—a security and coordination layer powered by staked ENA. Converge aims to bridge traditional finance and DeFi by supporting both permissioned RWA applications and permissionless DeFi protocols. Converge is launching on testnet in the coming weeks, with mainnet expected in Q2 2025.

• Applications open for EPF cohort 6

• Lens Chain hits 1m GHO bridged

• Circle introduces Refund Protocol

• Introducing ENSvolution

• Celo launches Stable Mag

• Close to Ultrasound blobs

• Launch on Base playbook

• Superform introduces rewards

• Ameen comments on Ethereum Religion

See disclosures