Vitalik Buterin advocates for Ethereum to switch its data structure to Verkle trees to enhance compatibility with Zero-Knowledge protocols, promoting better scalability.

Mihailo Bjelic from Polygon also discusses the efficacy of their zkEVM solution in meeting size requirements but acknowledges the necessity for more efficient solutions. Verkle trees, praised by Buterin for their shorter proofs and increased bandwidth capacity, present a promising alternative to the current Ethereum data structure.

Buterin highlights the limitations of Ethereum's existing Merkle Patricia trees, particularly their large witness sizes of up to 300 MB, which pose challenges for Zero-Knowledge applications.

The discussion initiated by Bjelic raises questions about the feasibility of transitioning to Verkle trees for improved ZK protocol integration, underscoring the need for more tailored solutions to address Ethereum's scalability and efficiency needs.

Praising the architecture of Verkle trees, Buterin envisions their adoption leading to compact proofs, greater bandwidth, streamlined verification processes, and overall network performance enhancement.

The structural change to Verkle trees aligns with Ethereum's strategy to integrate ZK protocols, primarily through Layer-2 solutions, aimed at boosting transaction speeds, reducing gas fees, and enhancing overall scalability.

As Ethereum aims to stay competitive amid growing blockchain demands, the integration of Verkle trees and ZK technologies emerges as a crucial step towards achieving market competitiveness and adapting to the evolving blockchain landscape.