Panel: EVM vs SVM vs ARM vs Blended

Summary

In a panel discussion moderated by Rex Kershner, various experts convened to explore the concept and utility of Virtual Machines (VMs) in the blockchain ecosystem. The conversation delved into the scalability, security, and developer experience challenges associated with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and how projects like Monad, Fluent, and Ellipse Labs are addressing these issues with innovative VM solutions. The panelists debated the necessity of VM competition, the importance of developer experience, and the potential for a unified execution environment that could support multiple VMs, hinting at the evolving landscape of blockchain technology.

Takeaways

• 😀 The panel discussion revolves around the concept and utility of various Virtual Machines (VMs) in the blockchain ecosystem, with a focus on Ethereum's EVM and its alternatives.
• 🤔 There is a debate on the definition and necessity of VMs, with some panelists questioning whether they should compete or if different VMs serve different purposes.
• 💡 The Aoma project, represented by Rex, is self-admittedly underqualified for the panel, highlighting the complexity and diversity of perspectives on VMs.
• 🔄 The Monad project emphasizes performance improvements to the EVM, aiming to make it more efficient without changing its compatibility or developer experience.
• 🌐 The Solana VM (SVM) is designed for performance, with constant factor improvements and a focus on how well it works with today's computers.
• 🛠 Fluent aims to enhance developer experience by allowing the use of existing tool sets and translating them into their VM, thus avoiding the need to invent new VMs.
• 📚 The panel touches on the historical context of VMs, discussing their origins in time-sharing services for mainframe computers in the 1960s.
• 🧩 The Resource Machine project breaks down the traditional EVM into separate components, allowing for more flexibility in state architecture, instruction sets, and message passing models.
• 🔑 The importance of defining the problem that a VM is trying to solve is highlighted, as it affects how well it fits into current deployment scenarios.
• 🔄 The concept of 'Blended Execution' is introduced by Fluent, which aims to create a single VM capable of emulating or simulating all other VM environments.
• 🚀 The discussion concludes with thoughts on the future of VMs, with a consensus that the industry is moving towards more interoperability and abstraction, potentially leading to a unified or blended execution environment.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the panel discussion in the provided transcript?

The main topic of the panel discussion is the different Virtual Machines (VMs) in the blockchain ecosystem, focusing on their purposes, advantages, and the challenges they address.

Who is the host of the panel and what is the name of the podcast they host?

The host of the panel is Rex Kersner, who hosts the Expansion Podcast, which is Block Works' latest podcast on the modular ecosystem.

What is the project that Rex Kersner is working on?

Rex Kersner is working on a project called Aoma, but admits to being underqualified for the panel as he doesn't know what a virtual machine is.

What is the stance of the panelists on the competition between different VMs?

There is a general agreement among the panelists that different VMs may not necessarily need to compete with each other, as they could serve different purposes and suit different needs.

What is the main reason Keone Han's project, Monad, was built for the EVM?

Monad was built for the EVM because of the network effects of the large number of developers, libraries, and existing programs that are already familiar with the EVM, which is considered powerful.

What are the three main issues with the EVM that the panelists discuss?

The three main issues discussed are scalability, security, and developer experience.

How does Monad address the issue of scalability?

Monad addresses scalability by introducing a custom state database for storing Ethereum Merkle tree data and optimistic parallel execution to process more transactions in a unit of time.

What is the main goal of Solana's virtual machine (SVM)?

The main goal of Solana's SVM is performance, focusing on making the virtual machine more efficient and better suited for today's computers.

What is Fluent's approach to handling different VMs and developer experience?

Fluent's approach is to allow developers to use any existing tool set on the market and combine them by translating into their special VM, enhancing the developer experience without exposing the internal VM to developers.

What is the concept of 'Blended execution' as discussed by the panelists?

Blended execution is the concept of creating a VM that can emulate or simulate all other VM environments in one place, allowing developers to use any tooling or language while the underlying system handles compatibility and interoperability.

What is the panel's general view on the future of VMs and the importance of abstraction in the blockchain industry?

The panel generally believes that abstraction is a key trend in the industry, with the future likely involving more interoperability and less focus on specific VM details, allowing developers to work within a unified computing environment.