Past, Present, and Future of Blockchain Execution Heterogeneity PAST The blockchain execution has evolved from a single-dimension system into a fully general marketplace for computation. In the “Past” stage, Bitcoin introduced the idea of on-chain inclusion with a simple multi-unit auction: block space was sold to the highest bidders, but only one resource (transaction size) mattered. Ethereum’s EIP-1559 added a second dimension: network resource usage with a knapsack-style auction that priced transactions by gas demand. Together, these foundations prioritized security and fairness over flexibility, keeping execution environments uniform. PRESENT Moving into the “Present,” high-throughput chains like Solana and emerging Ethereum upgrades (e.g. EIP-4844, MegaETH) begin to layer on additional dimensions storage, state access, and compilation overhead; through multi-dimensional or multiple knapsack auctions. At the same time, specialized execution layers such as Succinct, Gevulot, Fermah, and Lagrange tackle resource-intensive proofs (like zero-knowledge) across fungible hardware, employing combinatorial double auctions to match proof producers with verifiers. This phase reflects a growing diversity of execution models and fee markets, each optimized for particular computational trade-offs. FUTURE Looking to the “Future,” the Ritual network sits at the far right as the embodiment of “Any Computation, Any Hardware, Any Constraints.” Here, the fee market design becomes a fully general two-sided marketplace: consumers bid for arbitrary workloads and providers offer any hardware resources, all coordinated by verifiable computation protocols. The green wedge’s widening shape visually captures this progression each horizontal slice represents a new resource dimension unlocked, culminating in a universal execution framework that can support today’s smart contracts, tomorrow’s AI workloads, and whatever comes next. #RITUAL #GRITUAL @ritualnet @ritualfnd