# lean Ethereum Part 1: Introduction with Justin Drake

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/zero-knowledge-1048106/lean-ethereum-part-1-introduction-with-justin-drake
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/zero-knowledge-1048106/lean-ethereum-part-1-introduction-with-justin-drake.md
Podcast: [Zero Knowledge](https://stenobird.com/podcast/zero-knowledge-1048106)
Published: 2026-02-18T16:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://zeroknowledge.fm/podcast/391
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/b46f6f09-5c70-41f1-ba01-87667d140a5e.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/zero-knowledge-1048106/episodes/lean-ethereum-part-1-introduction-with-justin-drake
Duration seconds: 2155

## Resource

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dad2UonQ9Ag&feature=youtu.be In this episode, Nico Mohnblatt sits down with Justin Drake from the Ethereum Foundation to kick off a miniseries on lean Ethereum, a bold vision to rethink Ethereum’s consensus, data, and execution layers. Justin outlines how post-quantum cryptography, faster finality, and enshrined zkEVMs fit together into a cohesive redesign. At the heart of it is leanVM, an ultra-minimal zkVM built to aggregate hash-based signatures and recursively verify proofs, potentially turning post-quantum migration into a scalability win. They also explore formal verification efforts, the shift from conjectured to provable proximity gaps, Poseidon2 as a hash candidate, and how this work could set a post-quantum standard not just for Ethereum, but for other blockchains as well. This episode sets the stage for deeper dives in coming episodes. Related Links Ethproofs lean Ethereum Lean Consensus R&D Progress Poseidon2: A Faster Version of the Poseidon Hash Function github.com/leanEthereum/leanSpec github.com/leanEthereum/leanMultisig     Applications to speak at zkSummit14 on May 7 in Rome, Italy are now open! This edition will be more intimate with limited spots — we recommend applying early. Apply at www.zksummit.com zkMesh+ live! Subscribe for zkMesh+ and catch the latest State of ZK 2025 report.     **If you like what we do:** * Find all our links here! @ZeroKnowledge | Linktree * Subscribe to our podcast newsletter * Follow us on Twitter @zeroknowledgefm * Join us on Telegram * Catch us on YouTube   **Support the show:** * Patreon * ETH - Donation address * BTC - Donation address * SOL - Donation address * ZEC - Donation address Read transcript

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## Transcript

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