Vitalik Buterin Says Ethereum’s Next Rebuild Will Rival the Merge
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has unveiled an updated long-term roadmap that could reshape the blockchain over the next three to four years. He described the Lean Ethereum initiative as the network’s third major evolution, placing it alongside the original launch of Ethereum and the Merge upgrade in terms of importance.
Speaking after a meeting of Ethereum researchers in Berlin, Buterin said Lean Ethereum is not a single software update. Instead, it is a series of upgrades that will gradually replace nearly every major part of Ethereum’s protocol. Despite the scale of the changes, he stressed that developers will be able to keep their existing decentralized applications running without major modifications.
Lean Ethereum Focuses on Lower Fees and Better Performance
One of the biggest changes in the roadmap is Ethereum’s new approach to storing blockchain data. Buterin explained that the network currently relies on one expensive storage system for every application. The new design will introduce a lower-cost storage layer for simpler use cases while allowing more advanced applications to continue using the existing system.
According to Buterin, this change could dramatically reduce transaction costs. Many tokens, NFTs, and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications could see fees fall by more than ten times after moving to the new storage model. Since migration will remain optional, developers can decide when and how they adopt the updated system.
Quantum Security and Privacy Take Center Stage
Buterin also highlighted quantum security as one of Ethereum’s highest priorities. As quantum computing technology advances, today’s cryptographic methods may eventually become vulnerable. The roadmap therefore includes plans to replace every security component that could be affected by future quantum attacks.
Privacy has also become a central objective. Rather than treating privacy as an optional feature, future Ethereum upgrades will build it directly into the network. This approach is designed to make ETH transfers and decentralized applications more private while maintaining Ethereum’s security and transparency.
Ethereum May Eventually Replace the EVM
Another major proposal involves replacing the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), which powers every smart contract on the network today. Buterin said RISC-V and leanISA are currently the leading candidates for Ethereum’s next-generation execution engine.
The transition will happen gradually. Existing applications will continue to work through a compatibility layer while developers gain access to a more efficient computing system. Buterin believes this upgrade will make transaction verification faster, reduce operating costs, and improve support for privacy-focused applications.
Roadmap Extends Through the End of the Decade
Buterin indicated that Hegota, expected later this year, will likely be Ethereum’s final major upgrade before Lean Ethereum becomes the project’s primary focus. Future releases, including the planned Glamsterdam upgrade, are expected to increase transaction capacity and improve network performance over the next several years.
Although the Ethereum Foundation recently completed an internal restructuring, Buterin remains confident that the roadmap will strengthen Ethereum’s long-term position. By improving scalability, reducing costs, increasing privacy, and preparing for future security challenges, Lean Ethereum aims to ensure the blockchain remains competitive for years to come.
