Ethereum has introduced a bold long term roadmap called Strawmap, outlining how the network plans to evolve through 2029. Shared by Ethereum Foundation researcher Justin Drake on February 25, the framework signals a shift toward deeper coordination on core upgrades.
Instead of focusing only on short term updates, Strawmap lays out a multi year vision. The plan includes about seven protocol forks on a six month schedule. Each fork targets improvements across Ethereum’s consensus, execution, and data layers. As a result, developers and researchers now have a clearer path for aligning technical goals.
A Push for Native Privacy and Quantum Resistance
One of the most talked about elements of Strawmap is built in privacy. The roadmap proposes native shielded ETH transactions, which would allow users to send funds privately without relying on external privacy tools.
In addition, Ethereum aims to prepare for the quantum era. The network plans to introduce post quantum cryptography to protect digital signatures and validator operations from future quantum attacks. Vitalik Buterin noted that some quantum resistant features may roll out in stages. For example, block production could become quantum safe before finality systems fully upgrade.
These steps reflect growing concern that quantum computing could one day threaten blockchain security.
Massive Scaling Across Layer 1 and Layer 2
Scalability stands at the heart of the Strawmap vision. Ethereum developers are targeting major throughput gains on both Layer 1 and Layer 2.
Key goals include:
- Around 10,000 transactions per second on Layer 1 using technologies such as zkEVMs
- Data availability sampling to help Layer 2 rollups process millions of transactions per second
- Faster finality, potentially reducing confirmation times from 12 seconds to nearly 2 seconds
Therefore, Ethereum wants to compete aggressively with newer smart contract platforms that already market high speed performance.
While Strawmap does not lock in strict deadlines, it sets clear priorities. The crypto community will now watch how these ideas turn into real network upgrades starting later in 2026.
