Vitalik Buterin has summarized the results of a closed meeting of Ethereum researchers in Berlin and presented an updated vision for the network's development under the Lean Ethereum concept. This is not about a single hard fork, but a series of fundamental changes to be implemented over the next three to four years. I view this plan as the third major iteration of Ethereum after The Merge — and perhaps the most ambitious in terms of architecture.
Quantum Resistance Takes Center Stage
One of the key shifts is the sharply increased priority of quantum resistance. While protection against quantum computers was previously seen as a distant prospect, it is now a central task. The network will replace cryptographic algorithms vulnerable to quantum attacks and accelerate the adoption of the new BLOB data format. This is a logical step given progress in quantum computing: Ethereum is preparing for a threat that could become reality sooner than many expect.
Privacy as a Core Function
Buterin emphasized that privacy is no longer an optional addition. It is now considered at the design stage of all new components — from the mempool to data storage mechanisms. Developers also plan to expand the use of formal verification to enhance protocol security. This is an important signal for institutional investors, who increasingly demand transaction confidentiality.
Radical Data Storage Overhaul
The boldest change concerns the storage model. Instead of endlessly scaling the current network state, developers propose preserving it for complex applications but adding new, highly scalable storage types for tokens, NFTs, and most DeFi protocols. Estimates suggest that by 2030, Ethereum could support around 2 TB of traditional state and up to 100 TB of the new optimized format. This fundamentally changes the economics of data storage on the network.
New Virtual Machine and Gradual Improvements
The team is considering a gradual transition to alternative virtual machine architectures — RISC-V or leanISA — while maintaining compatibility with existing applications through a compilation layer. In parallel, the network will continue to increase the gas limit, BLOB data volume, and reduce slot times, but only after confirming the security of each change through client software optimization.
My analysis: Buterin's plan demonstrates Ethereum's maturity as an ecosystem. Instead of reactive patches, the team proposes a proactive protocol restructuring that accounts for quantum threats and privacy requirements. However, success will depend on coordination between client teams and the community — overly ambitious changes could drag on, as was the case with the transition to Proof-of-Stake.