Vitalik Buterin Proposes Lean Ethereum Roadmap

The proposed strategy, detailed on Strawmap.org following research discussions in Berlin, outlines a transition toward a "Lean Ethereum." Buterin argues that privacy should move from an application-layer feature to a core protocol property. Central to this shift is the integration of ZK-unlinkable deposits and daily re-anonymization for stakers, aiming to decouple staking activity from withdrawal patterns.

Security concerns have also taken center stage, with the roadmap elevating quantum resistance to an urgent priority. The plan details a transition away from current cryptographic standards like BLS signatures and KZG commitments toward post-quantum alternatives, aligning with NIST standards established in 2024. To manage the resulting computational load, the proposal advocates for recursive STARK-based verification, allowing the network to validate compact cryptographic proofs rather than requiring every node to re-execute individual transactions. These changes are expected to culminate in the Hegotá fork, serving as the final milestone before the network enters its new era. The roadmap arrives as the Ethereum Foundation undergoes internal restructuring, including a 20% workforce reduction and a 40% budget cut, though community feedback remains focused on the document's specific technical objectives.