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- Ethereum plans seven major forks through 2029 to implement post-quantum cryptography and native privacy.
- Network targets include 10,000 TPS on Layer 1 and a massive 10 million TPS across Layer 2 scaling solutions.
- Transaction finality is expected to drop from minutes to as low as 6 seconds using the new Minimmit consensus algorithm.
The Ethereum ecosystem is preparing for a technological overhaul that looks less like a single update and more like a high-stakes heart transplant performed while the patient is running a marathon. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin and researcher Justin Drake recently unveiled the “Strawmap,” a rigorous development schedule proposing seven major network forks between now and 2029. This roadmap marks a fundamental shift in how the world’s largest smart-contract platform views its own longevity, moving beyond simple scaling to address the looming “harvest now, decrypt later” threat of quantum computing.
Building a Post-Quantum Fortress
At the heart of Buterin’s latest vision is a “Ship of Theseus” approach to security. Rather than waiting for a functional quantum computer to break current encryption, the plan aims to replace vulnerable components incrementally. The roadmap identifies four critical areas: validator signatures, data availability, user account signatures, and zero-knowledge proofs.
To defend these, Ethereum is eyeing a move away from current Elliptic Curve standards toward hash-based and lattice-based signatures. While these new cryptographic guards are significantly more “expensive” in terms of gas costs—with hash-based signatures requiring roughly 200,000 gas compared to the current 3,000—Buterin suggests that protocol-layer aggregation could eventually drive that overhead down to near zero.
The “Strawmap” and the 10-Million TPS Goal
While security is the foundation, speed remains the headline. Justin Drake’s Strawmap introduces five “north stars” for the network, including the ambitious “Gigagas” L1 throughput and “Teragas” L2 scaling. The target is a massive leap to 10,000 transactions per second (TPS) on the mainnet and a staggering 10 million TPS across Layer 2 environments.
To achieve this, the network will likely see slot times—the interval between blocks—drop from the current 12 seconds to as low as 2 seconds. This transition will be supported by a new one-round consensus algorithm called Minimmit, designed to provide finality in as little as six seconds.
Also Read: Ethereum Hits $2,000: 3 Reasons Why a $2,400 Rally is Next!
Financial Sovereignty and the Staking Pivot
In tandem with these technical shifts, the Ethereum Foundation is evolving its financial strategy. Transitioning away from the periodic sale of assets that often spooked markets, the Foundation has begun staking 70,000 ETH from its treasury. This move signals a pivot toward a self-sustaining model, using native staking rewards to fund the very research—like the Strawmap—that ensures the network’s future.
By aligning its treasury with the network’s own security incentives, the Foundation is betting that a faster, private, and quantum-resistant Ethereum will remain the undisputed backbone of the digital economy through 2030 and beyond.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
I’m your translator between the financial Old World and the new frontier of crypto. After a career demystifying economics and markets, I enjoy elucidating crypto – from investment risks to earth-shaking potential. Let’s explore!
