Ethereum Proposes EIP-7928 to Boost L1 Scaling with Parallel Transaction Execution

Ethereum developers have introduced EIP-7928, a proposal aimed at improving Layer 1 (L1) scalability through parallel transaction execution and validation. As L1 scaling becomes a hot topic, this initiative represents a significant leap in enhancing Ethereum’s performance without relying solely on Layer 2 (L2) solutions.

EIP-7928, titled "Block-Level Access Lists" (BALs), is authored by Ethereum researchers Toni Wahrstätter, Dankrad Feist, Francesco D`Amato, Jochem Brouwer, Ignacio Hagopian, Yoav Weiss, and Alex Forshtat. The proposal introduces a new method to streamline how validators process transactions by including a complete list of accessed addresses and storage keys per block, along with post-execution values.

These BALs act as validator "cheat sheets," detailing expected storage access and outcomes, enabling faster parallelized validation and disk reads. The block body would incorporate three new components: the Block Access List, transaction indices, and post-execution values. This design could significantly reduce slot times, improve validator throughput, and potentially lead to gas limit increases—key components of Ethereum’s L1 scaling strategy.

This development comes shortly after Ethereum’s successful Pectra upgrade on May 7, which introduced advanced account abstraction and enhanced staking features. Looking ahead, Ethereum is preparing for the Fusaka (Fulu-Osaka) upgrade, which will introduce PeerDAS to reduce L2 data costs and strengthen smart contract security.

While some community members continue to prioritize L2 innovations, EIP-7928 underscores the importance of enhancing Ethereum’s core L1 infrastructure. If approved and implemented, it could redefine validator performance and make Ethereum more scalable at the base layer, reinforcing its position as the leading smart contract platform.