Scaling Ethereum
Ethereum scales by sending users to rollups: separate networks with their own operators and bridges. That splits users and liquidity across dozens of chains, and many rollups depend on one sequencer. Ethereum also gave up proof of work on the way. Quai scales the EVM on the base layer, and keeps proof of work.
Why Ethereum needs to scale
Ethereum's base layer handles tens of transactions per second. When demand is high, fees rise until most users are priced out.
Ethereum first planned to shard execution on its base layer. In 2020 it changed course to a roadmap that is centered on rollups: the base layer stores data, and separate networks do the work.
The ways to scale Ethereum, and what each one costs
| Approach | How it works | What it costs |
|---|---|---|
| Rollups (Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, zkSync) | Run transactions on a separate network and post data to Ethereum | Many depend on one sequencer and on upgrade keys. Users and liquidity are split across chains. |
| Blobs and data sharding | Make it cheaper for rollups to post data | It helps rollups only. Base-layer capacity stays the same. |
| Higher gas limit | Put more transactions in each block | Nodes get heavier to run. |
| Sidechains (Polygon PoS) | A separate chain with its own validators | Its security is its own, not Ethereum's. |
| Quai | EVM chains in a hierarchy that the same miners secure | One network with one security model, on the base layer. |
How Quai scales the EVM
Scale on the base layer
Quai adds chains inside the protocol. Each chain runs the EVM, and the same miners secure all of them through merged mining.
One network, not dozens
Chains inside Quai pass transactions to each other through the protocol itself. There is no third-party bridge and no separate sequencer for each chain.
Proof of work, kept
Ethereum left proof of work in 2022. Quai keeps it, so the smart contracts sit on the same security model as Bitcoin.
The same tools
Solidity, Hardhat, Foundry, ethers.js, and viem all work with Quai. A team does not need to learn a new stack.
Faster blocks
A Quai block arrives about every 5 seconds. An Ethereum block arrives every 12 seconds.
Money made for payments
Quai adds Qi, a cash-like token whose supply follows mining difficulty and the cost of energy.
Questions people ask
What is Ethereum's scaling plan?
Ethereum follows a roadmap that is centered on rollups. The base layer stores data cheaply, and separate layer 2 networks run the transactions.
What is the problem with rollups?
Each rollup is its own network. Users and liquidity are split across dozens of them, a move between two rollups needs a bridge, and many rollups depend on one sequencer that one company runs.
Did Ethereum give up on sharding?
Ethereum dropped its plan to shard execution on the base layer and moved to data sharding for rollups. Quai does scale execution on the base layer, with a hierarchy of merge-mined chains.
Is Quai an Ethereum layer 2?
No. Quai is a layer 1 network with its own miners and its own consensus. It is EVM compatible, so Ethereum contracts and tools work on it.
Can I deploy my Ethereum contracts on Quai?
Yes. Quai supports Solidity and common tools such as Hardhat, Foundry, ethers.js, and viem.
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Sources
This page gives information only. It is not financial advice. See the disclaimers.