Ethereum light client Helios: A new solution for trustless blockchain access

A well-known cryptocurrency investment firm recently launched Helios, an Ethereum light client based on the Rust programming language, aimed at providing completely trustless access to Ethereum. This move is expected to address the long-standing issue in the blockchain space of balancing convenience and decentralization.

One major advantage of blockchain technology is that it eliminates the need to trust intermediaries, allowing users to have full control over their wealth and data. However, in pursuit of convenience, many users opt to access the Ethereum network through centralized RPC service providers. While this approach is convenient, it also introduces potential risks, as users cannot verify the accuracy of the query results.

The Helios light client utilizes the new protocol formed after Ethereum's transition to PoS, which can convert data from untrusted centralized RPC providers into verifiable local RPC. It can complete synchronization in about two seconds without storage space, and users can securely access on-chain data through various devices (, including mobile phones and browser plugins ).

Centralized infrastructure may have some hidden dangers. For example, malicious RPC providers may offer users inaccurate quotes from decentralized exchanges, enticing users to set lower minimum output parameters, thereby implementing a new type of sandwich attack. Although this type of attack has not yet occurred in reality, users should still exercise caution when using unfamiliar RPC providers.

Helios consists of two parts: the execution layer and the consensus layer, which are tightly coupled. The consensus layer uses a synchronized committee mechanism to quickly synchronize to the current block through querying untrusted RPCs. The execution layer combines the verified beacon block headers with untrusted execution layer RPCs to validate on-chain state information. This design allows Helios to provide users with completely trustless RPC services without the need to run a full node.

The launch of this light client brings new possibilities to the Ethereum ecosystem. Developers can integrate Helios into wallets and DApps to enhance security and reduce reliance on centralized infrastructure. In the future, Helios is also expected to support new features such as obtaining data directly from the P2P network and compiling into WebAssembly versions.

Overall, the emergence of Helios provides an innovative solution to the trust issues in the blockchain field, and is expected to promote the Ethereum ecosystem towards a more decentralized and secure direction.