Ethereum Moves Toward Poseidon Hash for More Efficient ZK Performance

Key Takeaways

• Ethereum is evaluating a shift to Poseidon Hash to improve network scalability.
• Vitalik Buterin urged researchers to participate in a cryptanalysis program to assess Poseidon’s security.
• Poseidon Hash, introduced in 2022, has shown promise in optimizing zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs.

As Ethereum continues to refine its infrastructure, the network is considering a major cryptographic shift.

The network is exploring a move to Poseidon Hash to enhance security, scalability, and zero-knowledge (ZK) proof efficiency.

Ethereum Eyes Poseidon Hash Migration

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently took to X  to call on researchers to contribute to the Poseidon cryptanalysis program, an initiative aimed at evaluating the function’s security before potential implementation.

In response, the network has extended its grant application deadline to March 15 to encourage deeper research into Poseidon’s viability.

Why Poseidon?

Poseidon is a specialized cryptographic hash function designed for verifiable computation. Unlike traditional hash functions such as SHA-256 or Keccak, Poseidon is optimized for ZK proofs, a technology increasingly vital to Ethereum’s scaling solutions.

According to recent STARK benchmarks, Poseidon ranks among the top-performing hash functions for ZK-based applications.

Given its efficiency, Ethereum developers see it as a potential candidate for adoption at the Layer 1 (L1) level. However, the migration hinges on rigorous security analysis and community consensus.

Ethereum’s research effort is structured in phases, with the first concluding in December 2025 and the second set to run through 2026.

Three Years in the Making

Poseidon Hash was first introduced in November 2022 through Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) 5988. The proposal suggested adding a precompiled contract to the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) to improve compatibility between Ethereum’s L1 and zero-knowledge rollups.

Though Poseidon has already been deployed across various Layer 2 (L2) protocols leveraging ZK proofs, Ethereum has yet to implement it on its base layer. With scalability remaining a persistent challenge, the push for Poseidon comes as Ethereum approaches its next major upgrade—Pectra—scheduled for April.

By migrating to Poseidon, Ethereum aims to enhance network efficiency while ensuring cryptographic security. However, as with any protocol change, extensive research and validation will be required before full-scale adoption.