Many researchers within the Ethereum ecosystem have rallied behind the updated "Lean Ethereum" roadmap, though concerns linger about the pace of its implementation.
By Margaux Nijkerk|Edited by Cheyenne Ligon Jul 6, 2026, 3:34 p.m. 3 min readMake preferred on ShareShare this articleCopy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmailMake preferred on SummaryShow- Many of Ethereum's top researchers and developers have expressed strong support for Vitalik Buterin's revised "Lean Ethereum" roadmap, which emphasizes privacy and quantum-resistant technology as key future objectives.
- Despite general alignment with Buterin's vision, some prominent voices within the community argue that the suggested timeline of three to four years is excessively slow and advocate for a more expedited approach.
The Ethereum network's ambitious strategy for transformation over the coming years is receiving enthusiastic backing from many researchers. However, a consensus is emerging that the primary obstacle lies not in what to implement, but in the speed of its execution.
Last week, Vitalik Buterin, a co-founder of Ethereum, released an updated version of the "Lean Ethereum" strawmap, which outlines a long-term vision aiming to revamp nearly every significant aspect of the blockchain. Initially introduced in February, Buterin's revised proposal outlines extensive changes to enhance Ethereum's speed, reduce operational costs, and improve privacy while safeguarding against future threats like quantum computing.
Although the roadmap is still years from realization, initial feedback indicates that many leading developers within Ethereum resonate with its proposed direction.
Eli Ben-Sasson, co-founder of StarkWare, described the roadmap as containing "many good things, a few unclear things, still a few problems." He commended Ethereum for prioritizing recursive STARKs, a cryptographic method intended to simplify network verification, marking a significant evolution from earlier years when skepticism about this technology was prevalent.
Ben-Sasson also praised Buterin's focus on privacy and quantum-resistant cryptography as top priorities. "Quantum safety—excellent," he remarked on X. "Glad to see this as a high priority." However, he cautioned that Ethereum should not take three to four years to achieve these goals. "'3-4 years' as a timeline is way too long," Ben-Sasson asserted, particularly concerning quantum preparedness.
Similarly, former Ethereum Foundation researcher Dankrad Feist expressed a parallel sentiment. He noted the roadmap's vision is "really cool" but echoed concerns about the timeline. Features such as near-instant transaction finality and significantly increased throughput could revolutionize the network, he added. "But 3-4 years is very slow," Feist commented, advocating for an ambitious target of completing it in approximately one year. He even proposed that recent advancements in AI technologies, including large language models, could facilitate faster progress.
Discussions were not solely focused on timelines; some researchers also examined the technical components of the roadmap. Ben-Sasson raised questions about one of Buterin's suggestions for new types of blockchain "state," which pertains to the data Ethereum maintains about accounts, balances, and smart contracts. "New kinds of state: what does that mean? Who is affected by it?" he inquired, calling for further clarification.
Meanwhile, Ethereum Foundation researcher Barnabé Monnot highlighted the changes made to the roadmap since its earlier version released in February. Among the most significant alterations, Monnot pointed out that certain upgrades aimed at expediting block production were rescheduled for the future, while modifications to Ethereum's consensus mechanism were brought forward. He also noted the removal of several previously suggested features, adjustments that could ultimately enhance the network's transaction finality speed and censorship resistance.
Overall, the responses indicate a strong consensus within Ethereum's research community regarding the intended direction of the network. Instead of disputing the fundamental concepts of the roadmap—such as enhanced privacy, stronger cryptographic measures, and innovative scaling solutions—debate has shifted toward execution timelines.
For many leading researchers in Ethereum, the envisioned destination appears promising. The pressing question now is whether the network can achieve its goals with sufficient speed.
Read more: Vitalik Buterin says Ethereum is preparing its 'biggest rebuild' since the Merge
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