Ethereum Foundation Charts New Course for 2026 | Three Key Focus Areas Revealed
Edited By
Marco Rossi
The Ethereum Foundation has unveiled a strategic protocol roadmap for 2026, emphasizing three core areas: scaling network capacity, enhancing user experience, and strengthening Layer 1 security. This update follows a substantial year for Ethereum, which implemented performance upgrades with Pectra and Fusaka in 2025.
Major Upgrades in the Past Year
Last year saw the introduction of PeerDAS, which significantly boosted data availability throughput. Users now enjoy an impressive 8× increase for rollups, alongside a raised gas limit of 60 million, marking a vital advance for the platform.
Strategic Priorities for 2026
Scale the Network: The foundation aims to push the gas limit beyond 100 million and continue developing zkEVM improvements to enhance rollup efficiency.
Improve User Experience: By focusing on native account abstraction, Ethereum seeks to streamline interactions, develop more intuitive wallets, and ease onboarding for everyday people.
Harden Layer 1 Security: Emphasizing the importance of security, the foundation plans to bolster defenses against potential threats, especially those related to post-quantum cryptography.
"Reinforcing security is quite essential for its reputation; the threats are rising," remarked a participant in the community.
Upcoming Upgrade and Community Reactions
The next major upgrade, called Glamsterdam, is slated for the first half of 2026. There’s a buzz around this shift, as community sentiment seems cautiously optimistic. "Ethereum is shifting from promises to engineering," noted another contributor on a user board.
Interestingly, some voices express concern over missing proposals, like EIP 7782, from the upcoming upgrade.
Key Takeaways
▽ Scaling efforts target a gas limit surpassing 100 million.
△ Focus on enhancing usability to attract mainstream users.
※ "This sets a strategic tone for Ethereum's future," a user commented.
As Ethereum plows ahead with these strategic priorities, will it continue to satisfy the growing expectations of its community?
What’s on the Horizon?
Experts estimate around an 80% chance that Ethereum will meet its ambitious gas limit goal of surpassing 100 million in the upcoming year, as scaling is critical for accommodating an expanding user base. With strategic improvements in zkEVM and a focus on user experience, the platform aims to draw in those unfamiliar with crypto. Additionally, as the world shifts toward higher security expectations, Ethereum's efforts to enhance Layer 1 security amid threats like post-quantum cryptography are crucial. If successfully implemented, these initiatives could lead to a more resilient network, drawing both seasoned users and newcomers who value stability and usability.
Echoes of Innovation
In the early days of the internet, many similar advancements faced skepticism and debate. For instance, when the modem allowed faster connections, critics doubted it would become mainstream. However, the technology gradually became a vital part of daily life, changing how people communicate and interact. Similarly, Ethereum's trajectory, marked by community input and transformative upgrades, could redefine how decentralized systems operate. Just as the emergence of user-friendly internet apps galvanized online engagement, Ethereum's commitment to enhancing user experience may very well catalyze a new wave of participation in the crypto space.