TLDR
- Ethereum Foundation releases Strawmap for Layer 1 enhancement strategy
- Roadmap outlines path to 10,000 transactions per second
- Seven network forks scheduled between now and 2029
- Vitalik Buterin advocates for reduced slot times and improved finality
- Quantum-resistant security features included in future plans
As Ethereum stabilized around the $2,000 price point, the Ethereum Foundation published its Strawmap roadmap, presenting a comprehensive vision for network evolution. This strategic document outlines a coordinated approach focused on enhancing transaction speed, expanding scalability, and optimizing protocol performance. The Strawmap release has bolstered confidence in Ethereum’s commitment to advancing its Layer 1 infrastructure following recent market volatility.
Strawmap Establishes Comprehensive Development Framework
The Ethereum Foundation introduced Strawmap as a strategic visualization tool mapping anticipated protocol enhancements extending to 2029. This organizational framework categorizes improvements across three critical domains: the Consensus Layer, Data Layer, and Execution Layer, ensuring synchronized development efforts. Each scheduled fork within Strawmap receives a distinct priority designation, enabling consistent progress throughout the network ecosystem.
The roadmap identifies five cornerstone objectives shaping Ethereum’s trajectory over the coming years. Central to these aims is accelerating Layer 1 performance by decreasing slot durations and minimizing confirmation delays. The Strawmap vision encompasses achieving gigagas Layer 1 capacity, potentially enabling approximately 10,000 transactions processed per second.
Beyond Layer 1, the blueprint envisions a teragas-capable Layer 2 infrastructure designed to handle up to 10 million transactions each second. Strawmap incorporates quantum-resistant cryptographic protections utilizing hash-based methodologies. The framework further emphasizes privacy-enhanced Layer 1 functionality, enabling confidential transactions and advanced privacy protocols.
Accelerated Block Times and Finality Improvements Take Priority
Vitalik Buterin endorsed the Strawmap initiative by articulating a strategy for incrementally reducing slot times. His proposal suggests phased decreases from the current 12-second intervals to shorter durations as technical research matures. Strawmap reinforces this objective by correlating faster block generation with enhanced user experiences and improved rollup efficiency.
Development teams are actively investigating peer-to-peer network enhancements to accommodate reduced slot intervals. Approaches under consideration include implementing erasure coding techniques to minimize block propagation latency across validator networks. These networking optimizations align with Strawmap’s overarching goal of supporting expanded transaction throughput.
Engineers are also assessing Minimmit, an innovative finality mechanism designed to strengthen transaction settlement assurances. This system aims to deliver faster finalization even during high-stress network scenarios. Strawmap designates this finality upgrade as an essential component of upcoming protocol forks.
Seven-Fork Timeline Mapped Through End of Decade
Strawmap establishes seven sequential forks operating on a six-month development cycle extending through 2029. This measured approach seeks to harmonize rapid innovation with reliable deployment schedules. Each fork aligns with specific thematic priorities, maintaining organizational clarity throughout the implementation process.
The Ethereum Foundation developed Strawmap during an internal planning session conducted in early 2026. This document functions as a strategic guideline rather than an inflexible mandate. Strawmap promotes collaborative engagement among researchers and developers across the broader Ethereum community.
Ethereum’s market valuation remained stable following Strawmap’s publication. The comprehensive framework highlights Ethereum’s dedication to long-term scaling objectives and sustains development momentum. Strawmap establishes a foundation for continuous technical advancement across all protocol layers.





