FIP: secp256r1 (P-256) P256VERIFY precompile

[snissn]

Abstract

This FIP proposes adding a P256VERIFY precompile at Ethereum address 0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000100 (i.e., 0x0100) to the FEVM. The precompile verifies an ECDSA signature (r,s) against a 32-byte message hash and an uncompressed public key (x,y) on the secp256r1 curve, returning 0x…01 on success and an empty byte array on failure.

For Filecoin’s purposes, EIP-7951 and RIP-7212 should be understood as addressing the same user-facing feature: a P256VERIFY precompile at 0x0100. At the EVM interface level they are equivalent: same address, same 160-byte input format, and same return values/failure behavior. The key difference is that EIP-7951 tightens validation/verification requirements (notably: a point-at-infinity check and a modular comparison r' ≡ r (mod n)), while Ethereum’s fixed EVM gas schedule for this precompile is not directly applicable to FEVM’s gas accounting model.

Accordingly, this FIP targets EIP-7951 semantics while remaining interface-compatible with RIP-7212-style callers.

Discussion

#1227

Reference Implementation

filecoin-project/builtin-actors#1708

[rvagg]

@snissn uncontroversial IMO so let's assign FIP number 0113 to this one - update filename, frontmatter and README.

[lanzafame]

Approval assumes changes put forward by rvagg

[snissn]

@snissn uncontroversial IMO so let's assign FIP number 0113 to this one - update filename, frontmatter and README.

4a80485

[snissn]

@rvagg I addressed your open comments, I'm looking forward to our next steps!

From the latest round of comments here are the open TODOs:

• builtin-actors#1721 (OPEN): vendor EIP-7951 test-vectors.json into builtin-actors and wire P256VERIFY tests to consume
  it (referencing builtin-actors#1708).
• FIPS/fip-0113.md ## TODO (still open work items):
  • Decide target network upgrade / actor bundle version for activation.
  • Benchmark gas for representative P256VERIFY calls under FEVM’s Wasm-instrumented gas accounting.
  • Validate EIP-7951 vectors against a deployed 0x0100 precompile once available in a target network.
  • Check whether 0x0100 has been occupied on relevant networks prior to reserving it, and document findings.
• FIPS/fip-0113.md ## Implementation:
  • Lotus (integration test): TODO (still a placeholder to replace with a link/issue/PR).