Ethereum developers propose EIP 2515, suggesting that "difficulty freeze" replace "difficulty bomb"

Ethereum, known as the World Computer, took longer to convert from Proof-of-Work (PoW) to Proof-of-Stake (PoS) than previously expected. This is obvious due to the scale of the network. However, the conversion process is not fast; developers have proposed several EIPs to improve it. EIP 2515, released 5 days ago, sought to replace the long-standing Difficulty Bomb with "Difficulty Freeze".

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The difficulty bomb is an algorithm that adjusts the difficulty of the Ethereum blockchain based on the block time. If the block production time is greater than 20 seconds, it will reduce the difficulty; if the block production time is less than 10 seconds, it will increase the difficulty. In addition, there is an additional mechanism called "Difficult Bomb" or "Ice Age" in this mechanism.

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The Ice Age is also known as the difficulty bomb, which can artificially increase the difficulty of the Ethereum blockchain. To some extent, the redirection mechanism cannot adapt to the increase in difficulty, and we will see the block generation time of the entire network increase. This is mainly to ensure that the difficulty rises to the point where the miners lose their motivation, forcing them to turn to the PoS chain.

The creator of the Eip, James Hancock, says:

"The difficulty freeze is a mechanism that is easy to predict and model, and core developers and client maintainers are more likely to feel the pressure to lose it. Client maintainers are also positioned as the most able to cope with the upcoming difficulty freeze . "

EIP 2515 proposes replacing “difficulty bombs” with “difficulty freezes”, mainly due to the problems facing the recent hard fork of Muir Glacier. Hancock explained that the motivation behind EIP was to simply eliminate the complex model of "difficulty bombs" that appeared at unexpected times, causing technical difficulties and negatively affecting miners.

This new EIP, if implemented, will simplify the block time redirection mechanism. Hancock also mentioned some security considerations that the EIP could have. However, not everyone is satisfied with the new EIP, and some criticisms favour the old way. Ethereum developer Thomas J. Rush, owner of QuickBlocks.io:

"EIP 2515 will encourage 'users', including core developers, to fix this upside down issue. The average user thinks faster block time will be better. Miners also think so because faster block time More block rewards. Everyone will hesitate to solve a problem that will make the block production time longer. "

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