Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has highlighted that quantum computing resilience, privacy, and code verification through artificial intelligence have become more pressing challenges than previously outlined in the 2023 roadmap for the second-largest cryptocurrency.

I updated my 2023 roadmap diagram to overlay where the items that were there sit in the current Strawmap ( https://t.co/9deLIQWG24 ).

In general, a lot of overlap, but:

* Some things got reshuffled in order (eg. quantum safety up-prioritized)
* Some things deprioritized (eg.… pic.twitter.com/XLdIt4kAgT

— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) August 10, 2026

The initial blockchain development plan consisted of six phases: The Merge, The Surge, The Scourge, The Verge, The Purge, and The Splurge. On August 4, the Ethereum Foundation (EF) released a revised version known as the strawmap, extending its vision to 2029.

"What is most striking is that the Strawmap includes completely new elements that were absent from the 2023 roadmap," Buterin stated.

Privacy

In the updated plan, privacy has shifted from being an application-level enhancement to a fundamental requirement of the protocol. This includes mechanisms designed to obscure user activity and balances, along with constructs like wormholes that facilitate fund transfers without disclosing the entire transaction history.

Additionally, this encompasses part of FOCIL, a mechanism for enforcing transaction inclusion in blocks, which will be a significant innovation in the Hegota hard fork.

Quantum Resilience and Lean Ethereum

The second new focus area is post-quantum cryptography and streamlining the network's technical foundation. Lean Ethereum encompasses a series of upgrades that could potentially rewrite almost every critical element of the protocol.

In July, Buterin referred to this as "the third major iteration" of Ethereum, estimating the work would take three to four years.

The long-term plan allows for the possibility of replacing the EVM with alternative formats like RISC-V and leanISA.

AI in Formal Verification

To verify the Ethereum protocol's operations, STARK proofs and formal verification utilizing artificial intelligence will be employed. Buterin explained that advancements in AI have facilitated the expansion of this methodology's application.

"This can only be secure through formal verification, which is feasible only with modern AI tools," he clarified.

Scaling

The approach to scaling has also evolved. Developers have moved away from attempts to uniformly accelerate all types of activities. Instead, they are creating specialized mechanisms with strict limitations: while these may lack versatility, they excel in complex scenarios—ranging from token transfers and swaps to future privacy protocols.

Buterin noted that previously, SNARK proofs did not allow for a serious consideration of native rollups due to their immaturity. The strawmap also introduced concepts like BLOB and gas futures—ideas that were not present in 2023. Meanwhile, some earlier plans, including many EVM improvements, have been shelved.

What Came Before

Back in January, Buterin urged developers not to delay the transition to quantum-resistant cryptography, leading the Ethereum Foundation to assemble a dedicated team for this purpose. By February, a phased plan was put in place to replace four vulnerable components of the network. By July, these concerns were foundational to Lean Ethereum.

It is important to note that the strawmap remains a living document rather than a fixed schedule. The foundation has faced criticism for shifting deadlines and resource allocation, as in June the EF cut 20% of its staff and reorganized around five clusters.

Additionally, in early August, a group of Ethereum researchers and developers suggested reducing staking rewards. SharpLink warned that this could undermine Ethereum's main competitive edge over Bitcoin—the ability to generate income simply by holding assets.