Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin summarized the results of a network researchers' meeting in Berlin and introduced the concept of Lean Ethereum — not just another upgrade, but a full-fledged third major iteration of the blockchain after The Merge. This involves a series of fundamental changes that will be implemented over the next three to four years and will affect virtually all key components of the protocol.
Quantum Resilience as the Top Priority
One of the most significant shifts is the increased priority of protection against quantum computers. While previously considered a long-term task, it has now moved to the forefront. The network will transition to block validation using recursive STARK proofs, replace vulnerable cryptographic algorithms, and accelerate work on quantum-resistant data formats, including BLOBs.
Privacy — Not an Option, but a Standard
Buterin emphasized that privacy is no longer viewed as an additional feature. It is now being embedded into the architecture of all new components — from the mempool to data storage mechanisms. Developers also plan to expand the use of formal verification to enhance security and simplify protocol auditing.
Scaling Through Storage Restructuring
The most radical change will be an update to the data storage model. Instead of endlessly scaling the current state of the network, developers propose preserving it for complex applications while simultaneously adding new, more scalable storage types for tokens, NFTs, and most DeFi applications. According to Buterin's estimate, by 2030, Ethereum will be able to support approximately 2 TB of traditional state and up to 100 TB of the new, optimized format.
Evolution of the Virtual Machine
The team is considering a gradual transition to a new virtual machine. In the long term, the protocol may move away from direct reliance on the EVM in favor of RISC-V or leanISA architectures, maintaining compatibility with existing applications through a compilation layer. This will significantly boost the network's performance and flexibility.
Gradual Increase of Limits
In the coming years, the network will continue to gradually increase the gas limit, the volume of BLOB data, and reduce the time between slots. Each change will be implemented only after thorough security checks, thanks to client software optimization and protocol updates.
As an analyst, I see a clear signal in this roadmap: Ethereum is betting on long-term sustainability and institutional adoption. Quantum protection and privacy are not just technical improvements but necessary conditions for the network to remain relevant in a world where regulators and major players demand ever-higher standards of security and confidentiality.