# Fireside Chat I Ethereum at Hyperscale With Alex Gluchowski and Kartik Talwar | Pragma Paris 2023

- Speakers: [Alex Gluchowski](https://streameth.org/speakers/alex-gluchowski), [Kartik Talwar](https://streameth.org/speakers/kartik-talwar)
- Channel: [ETHGlobal](https://streameth.org/ethglobal)
- Date: 2023-10-09
- Duration: 39:41
- Topics: zkSync, Alex Gluchowski, ZK rollups, Ethereum scalability, zero knowledge proofs, hyperscale Ethereum, ZK-EVM, Matter Labs, ZK Stack, zkPorter, Boojum, recursive proofs, decentralized sequencer, volition, validium, GPU proving, blockchain compression, ETH L2, Ethereum mass adoption, Pragma Paris, ETHGlobal, hyperchains, Ethereum Layer 2, blockchain privacy, modular blockchain, rollup benchmarks, Ethereum future, zkRollup roadmap
- Watch: https://streameth.org/watch/yt-Uh_FMZrVE0A
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh_FMZrVE0A

## Description

Join Alex Gluchowski, CEO and co-founder of Matter Labs and creator of zkSync, as he dives deep into the future of Ethereum scalability in this fireside chat at Pragma Paris 2023.

This conversation explores Ethereum at hyperscale—from zero-knowledge proofs and ZK rollups to GPU-powered proof generation, recursive SNARKs, the ZK Stack, volition models, and more. Alex shares the technical breakthroughs that make hyperscalable blockchains possible, including zkSync’s new proof system Boojum, decentralized sequencers, and elastic data availability.

With insights on ZK-EVM design choices, compression benchmarks, developer UX, the evolution of Ethereum rollups, and what true blockchain mass adoption looks like, this talk is a must-watch for anyone building or investing in Ethereum infrastructure.

00:00 Welcome & Introduction with Alex Gluchowski
00:38 Why zkSync was created
01:48 Zero-knowledge proofs as a scaling catalyst
03:33 Capitalism, freedom & permissionless innovation
05:11 Ethereum as the value layer of the internet
06:16 What ZK rollups enable: scale and privacy
08:25 Volition and zkPorter explained
10:07 zkSync’s cost efficiency and privacy roadmap
11:06 Recursion and constant-size proof benefits
12:05 Breakthroughs and proof system: Boojum
14:22 Performance benchmarks and GPU proving
16:57 Mainnet rollout and shadow proving
17:56 Unlimited block size with ZK recursion
19:03 zkSync throughput and battle-tested usage
20:12 ZK vs Optimistic rollups
23:28 State diffs vs calldata and compression
25:10 Volition trade-offs and user security
26:45 ZK Stack and EVM compatibility
28:41 Modular deployments with hyperchains
30:23 Hyperchains as city districts
33:38 Hyperbridging and seamless interoperability
35:18 Lessons learned and early missteps
36:55 How to measure Ethereum scalability success
38:38 ZK Credo and defining hyperscalability

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🇫🇷 *Pragma Paris*
Pragma Paris took place at the Pavillion Vendome in Paris on July 20, 2023, and was an in-person summit for builders and leaders in the web3 ecosystem. Watch the full Pragma Paris 2023 playlist here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXzKMXK2aHh42f0yI-hyeOCbNZpvV2fIT&si=Ez6ych6OAdn_sq1D

ETHGlobal's Pragma series takes place in cities around the world, and is designed to be a different kind of event. Pragma is a one-stage conference with founders-only on stage, bringing together a small group of curated attendees and speakers to discuss the future of web3 and reflect on the past. Ever since we first introduced our new event series Pragma in Tokyo of the spring of 2023, we have been fostering a curated, global community of individuals who deeply care about web3.

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✅ *Follow Kartik Talwar*
X: https://x.com/therealkartik
Warpcast: https://warpcast.com/kartik

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Warpcast: https://warpcast.com/ethglobal
Website: https://ethglobal.com
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