Ethereum's priorities have shifted: quantum resistance, AI verification, and a new scaling philosophy
The Ethereum ecosystem is entering a new phase of transformation. Vitalik Buterin has presented an updated vision for the network's development that radically differs from the 2023 roadmap. Key emphasis has shifted toward post-quantum cryptography, built-in privacy, and the use of artificial intelligence for formal code verification.
At the core of the new strategy lies the so-called "strawmap," published by the Ethereum Foundation in early August. This document, spanning through 2029, not only adjusts the previous six development stages — The Merge, The Surge, The Scourge, The Verge, The Purge, and The Splurge — but also introduces fundamentally new directions that did not previously exist in the official plan.
Privacy as a protocol foundation
The most telling change is the status of privacy. Previously, data-hiding tools were considered an application-layer option; now they are a hard requirement for the protocol itself. This refers to mechanisms that mask user activity and balances, as well as constructs like wormholes that enable transactions without revealing the full history of transfers. The FOCIL mechanism is also integrated here, set to become the central innovation of the Hegota hard fork.
Quantum resilience and the Lean Ethereum project
The second strategic block is post-quantum cryptography and simplification of the technical foundation. The Lean Ethereum initiative unites a series of upgrades capable of rewriting nearly every key element of the protocol. Buterin previously estimated this work as the "third major iteration" of Ethereum, requiring three to four years to implement. In the long term, even replacing the EVM with alternative formats such as RISC-V and leanISA is considered possible.
AI in formal verification
Particular attention is due to the approach for verifying network correctness. Ethereum plans to more actively leverage STARK proofs combined with formal verification based on artificial intelligence. According to Buterin, such a symbiosis is becoming not just desirable but a necessary condition for security: without modern AI tools, full formal code verification is simply unfeasible.
A new scaling philosophy
The scaling strategy has also undergone significant changes. Instead of attempting to universally accelerate all types of activity, developers are betting on specialized mechanisms with strict constraints. This approach loses in versatility but delivers significant gains in complex scenarios — from token transfers and swaps to future privacy protocols. Previously, SNARK proofs did not allow native rollups to be seriously considered due to their immaturity; now the situation is changing. The updated plan also includes BLOB and gas futures — concepts absent in 2023 — while some previous initiatives, including many EVM improvements, have been shelved.
Notably, the strawmap remains a living draft rather than a rigid schedule. The Ethereum Foundation has already faced criticism over timeline delays and restructuring: in June, the organization cut 20% of its staff and reorganized around five clusters. Additionally, in early August, a group of researchers proposed reducing staking rewards, which could strip the network of a key advantage over Bitcoin — passive income for holders.
My view: The shift in priorities toward quantum protection and AI verification is not merely following trends but a necessary measure of maturity. Ethereum is preparing for an era when classical security and scaling models will cease to work. However, the bet on specialized mechanisms is a double-edged sword: while gaining in performance, the network risks losing flexibility, which could alienate some developers accustomed to the EVM's universality.