Sei Blockchain: Major Proposal for EVM-Only Architecture Unveiled

Big news from the Sei ecosystem! Sei Labs has recently put forth a significant governance proposal that could reshape the future of the network. If approved, the proposal would transition the Sei blockchain to an architecture focused exclusively on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).

According to reports from The Block, this isn’t just a minor tweak. The proposal specifically calls for the deprecation of CosmWasm, which is Cosmos’s native smart contract platform, and would also end support for native Cosmos accounts on Sei.

Why the Proposed Shift to Sei EVM?

You might be wondering why Sei Labs wants to make such a fundamental change. The core motivation behind this proposed shift is to significantly streamline Sei’s infrastructure. The goal? To boost both usability and performance across the network.

Currently, the Sei network supports a dual architecture, catering to both EVM-compatible accounts and native Cosmos accounts. While this might seem flexible on the surface, Sei Labs has noted that this setup introduces considerable complexity. This complexity isn’t just a theoretical issue; it creates friction for developers building on the platform and can make the user experience less intuitive than it could be.

Understanding the Vision: The Power of EVM-Only

By simplifying the architecture and focusing solely on the EVM, Sei Labs believes they can unlock new levels of efficiency and performance. A key technical benefit they highlight is leveraging EVM parallelization.

What does this mean for you as a user or developer?

• Increased Throughput: Simplifying the architecture and optimizing for EVM parallelization is expected to significantly increase the number of transactions the network can process per second.
• Enhanced Developer Experience: Focusing on EVM means developers can tap into the vast, mature ecosystem of EVM tools, libraries, and talent. This could make building and deploying applications on Sei much easier and faster.
• Streamlined User Experience: With a single account type and architecture, users may find interacting with the Sei network and its applications more straightforward.

This move aligns Sei more closely with the dominant smart contract standard in the industry, potentially attracting a larger pool of developers and users already familiar with EVM.

The Impact of CosmWasm Deprecation

One of the most notable aspects of the proposal is the call for CosmWasm deprecation. CosmWasm has been a part of the Sei architecture, allowing developers to build smart contracts using Rust within the Cosmos ecosystem. Ending support for CosmWasm and native Cosmos accounts represents a clear pivot away from its multi-chain, Cosmos-native roots towards a more singular, EVM-centric future.

This part of the proposal will be particularly impactful for developers who have been building using CosmWasm on Sei. It signals a need for potential migration strategies if the proposal passes.

Strategic Implications for Blockchain Architecture

Sei’s proposed shift isn’t just a technical tweak; it’s a strategic decision about its positioning within the competitive blockchain landscape. By choosing an EVM-only architecture, Sei is betting that specializing in a highly optimized EVM environment will be its key differentiator.

This strategy aims to combine the familiarity and extensive tooling of the EVM ecosystem with Sei’s core strengths, such as its parallel processing capabilities designed for trading and exchange applications. It’s a move to potentially capture a larger share of the dApp market by offering a high-performance, EVM-compatible alternative.

What Happens Next?

The proposal is now subject to community governance. This means Sei token holders will have the opportunity to review and vote on whether to adopt this significant architectural change. The outcome of this vote will determine the future technical direction of the Sei blockchain.

This is a critical moment for the Sei community, as the decision will have long-term implications for developers, users, and the network’s overall strategy.

In Summary

Sei Labs has put forward a bold proposal to transition the Sei network to an EVM-only architecture, which includes the CosmWasm deprecation and ending support for native Cosmos accounts. The primary drivers are improving performance through EVM parallelization and enhancing usability and developer experience by streamlining the blockchain architecture. This strategic move aims to position Sei EVM as a leading high-performance platform within the dominant EVM ecosystem. The final decision rests with the community through the governance process.

To learn more about the latest blockchain architecture trends and proposals like the Sei EVM shift, explore our articles on key developments shaping the future of decentralized networks.