Ethereum Foundation Reveals Roadmap for 2026-2029
February 26, 2026
The Ethereum Foundation recently unveiled its new strategic roadmap – dubbed the “strawmap” – which maps out a series of seven key hard forks scheduled to take place between 2026 and 2029. The roadmap is aimed at addressing crucial issues within the Ethereum ecosystem, including the implementation of post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, enhanced privacy for ETH transfers, and improved transaction finality.
One of the most notable improvements outlined in the roadmap is the introduction of second-level transaction finality. This new feature will significantly reduce the time it takes for transactions to be finalized on the Ethereum network, slashing the current L1 finality time from 16 minutes down to as little as 8 seconds. This will be achieved through the implementation of the Minimmit consensus mechanism, which streamlines the process through a single-round vote.
In addition to improving transaction finality, the Ethereum Foundation is also focused on boosting network throughput. The roadmap sets ambitious targets for L1 throughput, aiming to achieve speeds of up to 10,000 transactions per second, or “gigagas”. Furthermore, second-layer solutions such as Arbitrum and Optimism are looking to push the boundaries even further, with goals of reaching approximately 10 million transactions per second, or “teragas”.
Another key aspect of the roadmap is the gradual reduction of block intervals. The current slot time of 12 seconds will be incrementally decreased to 8, 6, 4 seconds, and potentially even 2 seconds, all while maintaining the necessary levels of network security. This optimization will help to enhance the overall speed and efficiency of the Ethereum blockchain.
Privacy and security enhancements are also a top priority for the Ethereum Foundation. The roadmap includes plans to introduce shielded transfers, which will allow users to conduct private ETH transactions with increased confidentiality. Additionally, the implementation of post-quantum cryptography solutions will provide stronger protection against potential threats posed by quantum computing.
Overall, the Ethereum Foundation’s “strawmap” roadmap outlines a comprehensive strategy for the future development of the Ethereum network. By addressing key issues such as transaction finality, network throughput, block intervals, privacy, and security, Ethereum aims to solidify its position as a leading blockchain platform capable of meeting the evolving needs of its users.
