TLDR
- Ethereum merges L1 and blob scaling for higher gas capacity and efficiency.
- Gas limit may exceed 100M while zkEVM attester moves toward production.
- Native account abstraction simplifies wallets; post-quantum signatures planned.
- Cross-rollup transfers streamlined via Open Intents and faster L1 finality.
- Security reinforced with Trillion Dollar Initiative and FOCIL for validators.
The Ethereum network is preparing for a structured shift in development priorities. The Ethereum Foundation has outlined a focused 2026 roadmap centered on scaling, usability, and base layer security. The Ethereum Foundation confirmed it will align research and client efforts under three defined tracks after the Pectra upgrade.
Scale: Expanding Capacity Across L1 and Blobs
The Ethereum Foundation merged its previous Scale L1 and Scale Blobs efforts into a single Scale track. This move reflects the technical link between execution throughput and data availability. As a result, the Ethereum Foundation will coordinate gas limit increases and blob expansion together.
Developers plan to raise Ethereum’s gas cap toward and beyond 100 million. This increase aims to maintain dependable blocks while preserving healthy client performance. At the same time, teams will refine gas pricing to reflect higher capacity.
The Ethereum Foundation will also advance the zkEVM attester client toward production readiness. Consensus clients are expected to directly verify zkEVM proofs over time. In addition, the Foundation intends to increase blob capacity to support rollup growth and lower transaction costs.
Improve UX: Native Accounts and Cross-Rollup Simplicity
The Ethereum Foundation placed user experience improvements into a dedicated Improve UX track. This track focuses on simplifying wallet interactions and application design. Consequently, developers will prioritize native account abstraction at the protocol level.
Proposals such as EIP-7701 and EIP-8141 aim to embed more account logic into Ethereum itself. These changes would allow smart contract wallets to operate like standard accounts. Moreover, the roadmap prepares for a gradual transition away from ECDSA toward post-quantum secure signatures.
The Ethereum Foundation will also expand the Open Intents Framework. This framework seeks to streamline asset transfers and liquidity movement across rollups. Furthermore, faster L1 finality and shorter L2 settlement windows should reduce reliance on external bridges.
Harden the L1: Security and Censorship Resistance
The Ethereum Foundation introduced a Harden the L1 track to strengthen long-term security. This track targets censorship resistance, validator accountability, and protocol robustness. Therefore, the Ethereum Foundation plans to coordinate security research more tightly with client releases.
A central component is the Trillion Dollar Security Initiative. This effort focuses on post-quantum readiness and post-execution transaction checks. Additionally, developers will promote more trust-minimized RPC patterns across the ecosystem.
Researchers will also explore protocol tools such as FOCIL to address validator misconduct. These measures aim to extend censorship resistance to blobs and future stateless designs. At the same time, the Ethereum Foundation will define measurable metrics so clients and stakers can track progress.
Two major upgrades will implement these changes in stages. Glamsterdam is scheduled for the first half of 2026, while Hegotá is planned later that year. Through this structured roadmap, the Ethereum Foundation seeks to accelerate research delivery and provide clearer direction for Ethereum’s evolution.
