Ethereum Foundation Flags Post-Quantum Security as Key to 2026 Protocol Roadmap

Ethereum developers are planning major protocol changes in 2026, including scaling, security tightening, and UX improvements following last year’s network upgrade.

The Ethereum Foundation said it will prioritize post-quantum security and further increases in the gas limit as part of its 2026 protocol roadmap.

The organization is also reorganizing its development efforts into three key tracks including scale, user experience, and Layer 1 security.

Three-track Protocol Configuration

On Wednesday, the Foundation said that Ethereum’s next phase will focus on increasing network capacity while ensuring long-term security and stability. Increasing the gas limit also remains a key objective, following an increase from 30 million to 60 million last year. Developers are now aiming for more than 100 million cubic meters of gas per block.

Post-quantum readiness has been identified as an important consideration across many areas of protocol development, amid increasing attention to cryptographic security as quantum computing capabilities advance. The Foundation said its work on the protocol in 2026 will be organized into three tracks – Scale, Improve the UX, and Harden the L1.

The “Scale” track includes work previously split between Layer 1 performance scaling and blob data availability. This track will oversee the continuous increase of the gas limit supported by customer measurement and access lists at the block level, the further increase of the blob parameter after the latest development, and the delivery of the measurement components planned for the development of the Glamsterdam network. It will also advance the country’s measurement efforts, including the re-calling of the near-expiration period of history, long-term stateless programs and new data structures.

The “Improve UX” track will focus on protocol-level changes aimed at simplifying how users interact with Ethereum. The focus will also be on native account acquisition and engagement. Building on EIP-7702, which allows externally managed accounts to temporarily use smart contract code, developers are working to automate smart contract wallets without relying on additional infrastructure or adding additional gas overhead.

The Foundation said the project also meets post-value readiness, as native account issuance provides a way to move away from ECDSA-based authentication. Efforts to improve interoperability will continue with the Open Intents Framework, in addition to progress on faster Layer 1 authentication and shorter Layer 2 dwell times.

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The “Harden the L1” track presents a dedicated focus on preserving Ethereum’s core properties such as network scales. These include security measures such as post-quantity readiness and execution layer protections, test resistance testing of transactions and blob data, and an extended test infrastructure to support cadence development. The Foundation said work on devnets, testnets, and client interactions will remain critical as protocol changes are deployed more frequently.

Looking Forward

Meanwhile, Glamsterdam is targeted for the first half of 2026, according to an update shared by the Ethereum Foundation. Additionally, the Hegotá development is planned for later in the year.

These improvements are expected to include higher gas limits, continuous blob scaling, embedded designer isolation, and advancements in native accounting, audit resistance, and post-quantum security.