Let’s consider the prevailing blockchain ideology that asserts “code is law”. This perspective regards a network’s underlying programming as inviolable, the ultimate authority in settle disputes regardless of how severe or threatening circumstances may be.
Alex Gluchowski, CEO of Matter Labs and a prominent figure within the Ethereum blockchain ecosystem, is advocating a rather radical view. Gluchowski proposes the idea of humans, rather than immutable coding, serving as arbiters of justice in certain extreme scenarios. Specifically, he suggests the creation of an “Ethereum Supreme Court” to mediate disputes that could endanger the very integrity of the main blockchain. He envisages a hierarchical system of on-chain courts analogous to real-world judiciaries, allowing for chain forks in response to security crises or hacks.
Our current digital safety net is often woefully inadequate. When Ethereum-based applications are hacked and user funds are purloined, the main recourse available is typically a fork of the blockchain. This basically allows users and operators to transition to a new version of the chain that retrospectively negates its history. This is no easy task; it involves attaining social consensus and persuading the majority of blockchain operators to accept and adopt the new software. Repeated forks could potentially undermine people’s trust in the blockchain, leading to a decrease in its perceived value.
Gluchowski’s proposal seeks to formalize the use of Ethereum’s “social consensus layer” to safeguard platforms such as DeFi apps and layer-2 networks known as “rollups”. Critically, these networks hold billions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency but are unable to independently fork Ethereum in case things go awry. Gluchkowsk’s proposed system would enable the community to engage a smart contract-based court system in the event an Ethereum-powered platform fails due to exploitation.
The CEO anticipates this process would be tedious and expensive to implement, envisioning “only truly extraordinary cases” progressing to the level of the Supreme Court. However, Gluchowski stresses the key role of this formal judiciary platform in shielding protocols from external political interference, thereby enhancing Ethereum’s stature as a powerful network state.
Despite the potential benefits, convincing others within the Ethereum community will likely be a significant hurdle. For instance, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has previously cautioned against unduly straining Ethereum’s “social consensus layer”. This new system would implicitly increase strain and vigilance requirements on Ethereum’s community. Beyond this, the method would have to circumvent existing status quo solutions such as security councils and time-locked upgrades—another potentially difficult feat.
Nevertheless, Gluchowski’s proposal shines a much-needed spotlight on security within the Ethereum landscape. As Ethereum-based platforms grow larger and more systemic, mooted protective measures may fall short, necessitating revolutionary measures such as Gluchowski’s proposition.
Source: Coindesk
