The co-founder of Ethereum summarized the results of the network researchers' meeting in Berlin, presenting the concept of Lean Ethereum. This is not a single update, but a comprehensive series of changes that will be implemented over the next three to four years. Essentially, it is the third major iteration of the protocol after The Merge, affecting almost all of its core components.
Fundamental Changes: From STARK to Quantum Resilience
The key development directions for the network include several radical steps. First, Ethereum will transition to block verification using recursive STARK proofs, which will dramatically increase validation efficiency. Second, cryptography vulnerable to quantum computers will be replaced — this issue has now become a priority rather than a deferred task. Third, the protocol awaits an update to the consensus mechanism and the introduction of a multidimensional gas fee model.
Particular attention is given to the overhaul of client architecture and the network state storage system. Instead of infinitely scaling the current state, developers propose preserving it for complex applications while adding new, more scalable storage types for tokens, NFTs, and most DeFi applications. Estimates suggest that by 2030, Ethereum will be able to support approximately 2 TB of traditional state and up to 100 TB of the new, optimized format.
Privacy as a Foundation and the Future of EVM
One of the most significant changes is the elevation of privacy's status. Previously considered an additional feature, it is now being embedded as a foundation in the design of all new network 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.
In the long term, the team is considering a gradual move away from direct reliance on the EVM in favor of RISC-V or leanISA architectures. Compatibility with existing applications will be preserved through a compilation layer. In the coming years, the network will continue to increase the gas limit and BLOB data volume, reducing slot times, but each change will only be implemented after security is confirmed through client software optimization.
Analysis: The presented roadmap demonstrates the maturity of the Ethereum ecosystem, transitioning from reactive development to proactive design. The increased priority of quantum resilience is particularly telling — this is not just a technical upgrade but a strategic move that could become a key argument for institutional investors concerned about the long-term security of assets. However, the scale of changes also carries risks: synchronizing all these updates within three to four years will require exceptional coordination among development teams and may lead to temporary delays or unexpected security compromises.