Crypto: Vitalik Proposes Gas Fee Cap to Strengthen Ethereum Security

July 7, 2025

13h05 ▪
3
min read ▪ by
Evans S.

Limit to better protect. Vitalik Buterin, the brain behind Ethereum, wants to impose a gas cap per transaction. A decision that surprises in an ecosystem used to constant expansion. But behind this technical constraint lies a clear intention: to make Ethereum more stable, safer, and finally ready for the future.

Vitalik stops the burning crypto gas to protect Ethereum, in hard-hitting comic book style.

In Brief

  • Vitalik Buterin proposes to cap each Ethereum transaction at 16.77 million gas via EIP-7983 to strengthen network security.
  • This limit aims to reduce the risks of DoS attacks and improve stability and performance predictability.
  • It also facilitates compatibility with zkVMs, while having no major impact on the majority of current users.

A barrier against chaos: EIP-7983 takes the stage

In detail, the EIP-7983 proposal aims to cap each transaction at 16.77 million gas units, which is 2^24. Why this precise number? Because it is large enough to cover the current needs of complex contracts and DeFi applications, without opening the door to abuse.

Today, a single transaction can consume the entire capacity of a block. This is a critical bottleneck, a flaw that some could exploit via DoS (denial of service) attacks. The network then becomes unstable, unpredictable. With this limit, Vitalik proposes a healthier distribution of resources, where no transaction can take the system hostage.

This is not a simple patch. It is a change in logic: each transaction will now have to comply with stricter rules, which will allow Ethereum and its crypto to evolve on firmer foundations.

Start your crypto adventure safely with Coinhouse
This link uses an affiliate program.

Technical optimization and zkVM compatibility: a dual goal for Ethereum

Beyond security, this cap also paves the way for better compatibility with zkVMs (zero-knowledge Virtual Machines). These tools, at the heart of current cryptographic innovations, require lighter and segmented transaction structures. By imposing a maximum size, Ethereum encourages breaking down overly large operations, thus facilitating their processing by cryptographic proof machines.

ETHUSDT chart by TradingView

Concretely, a crypto transaction exceeding the limit will simply be rejected. It won’t be validated or included in a block. Yet, the overall block limit itself remains intact. This is not a constraint for miners or validators, but a safeguard at the level of each operation.

Vitalik and Toni Wahrstätter, co-author of the proposal, specify that this new rule should not disrupt users: the majority of current transactions consume far less gas. In short, the change is radical protocol-wise, but gentle in its effects on developers.

It is no coincidence that this initiative arrives now. In recent months, Vitalik Buterin has been signaling support for a streamlined Ethereum. He wants to simplify the protocol, make it more accessible, more predictable, and above all less vulnerable. This gas cap fits into this overall strategy: controlling complexity to better face a future where some expect to see ETH crypto exceeding 700k.

Maximize your Cointribune experience with our “Read to Earn” program! For every article you read, earn points and access exclusive rewards. Sign up now and start earning benefits.

Evans S.

Fascinated by Bitcoin since 2017, Evariste has continuously researched the subject. While his initial interest was in trading, he now actively seeks to understand all advances centered on cryptocurrencies. As an editor, he strives to consistently deliver high-quality work that reflects the state of the sector as a whole.

DISCLAIMER

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and should not be taken as investment advice. Do your own research before taking any investment decisions.