TLDR
- Vitalik Buterin plans a cypherpunk principled non ugly Ethereum layer.
- FOCIL is scheduled for inclusion in the Hegota upgrade in 2026.
- The plan targets censorship resistance, zk support, and lean consensus.
- Buterin says a new system language could arrive within five years.
Vitalik Buterin is building a “cypherpunk principled non-ugly Ethereum” as developers officially add FOCIL to the upgrade roadmap. The plan aims to strengthen censorship resistance and simplify the protocol.
He said the new design will be built as a bolt-on to Ethereum. It will remain tightly integrated with the existing network. The approach avoids launching a separate chain while upgrading core features over time.
Buterin Outlines Cypherpunk Non Ugly Ethereum Vision
Buterin shared his plan in response to comments on X. A user suggested abandoning Ethereum and rebuilding a new chain from scratch. The proposal called for a fresh start using RISC-V and strict cypherpunk values.
Buterin rejected that approach and described a broader goal. He said, “I’m actually trying to do something even more ambitious.” He explained that he wants to create a “cypherpunk principled non-ugly ethereum” as a bolt-on to the current system.
Vitalik Buterin said he is building a "cypherpunk-principled" Ethereum as a bolt-on to the current system, aiming to enhance censorship resistance, zk-friendliness and leaner consensus. He suggested that within five years — possibly sooner with AI — Ethereum could migrate to a…
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) February 21, 2026
He added that the new layer would be interoperable and closely connected. Over time, it could grow in scope and function. Meanwhile, Ethereum itself would adopt properties that must remain system-wide.
Those properties include censorship resistance and zk prover friendliness. They also include consensus traits that support decentralization. The design focuses on making Ethereum leaner and harder at the base layer.
FOCIL Added to 2026 Hegota Upgrade Roadmap
FOCIL has now been scheduled for inclusion in the Hegota upgrade. The upgrade is targeted for late 2026. FOCIL stands for Forced Inclusion Lists.
The proposal aims to ensure validators include legitimate transactions. It is designed to reduce the risk of censorship at the protocol level. This change would affect the consensus layer directly.
Developers have debated FOCIL in governance forums. Supporters argue it strengthens Ethereum’s neutrality. Critics have raised concerns about complexity and validator burden.
Despite debate, FOCIL is now part of the official roadmap. It is set to serve as the consensus layer headliner for Hegota. The move aligns with Buterin’s focus on protocol-level censorship resistance.
Leaner Consensus and ZK Friendly Architecture
Buterin also discussed changes beyond FOCIL. He pointed to upgrades in the state tree and consensus design. He also referenced improvements to ZK-EVM verification and the virtual machine.
He said that within five years a new system language could be adopted. He noted that AI-assisted coding and verification could speed up this timeline. The current framework could then be re-implemented in the new system.
The goal is to make Ethereum more compatible with zero-knowledge cryptography. ZK systems are used for scaling and privacy features. A zk-friendly base layer could improve efficiency and verification.
Ethereum has faced criticism over fragmentation. The growth of layer 2 networks and app chains has raised coordination challenges. Buterin’s approach seeks tighter integration rather than separation.
ETH was trading near $1,960 at press time, according to TradingView. The price was down about 4% over the past seven days. Market data reflects broader volatility in crypto markets.
The roadmap now reflects a dual strategy. Ethereum will evolve in place while a cypherpunk principled non-ugly Ethereum layer develops alongside it. Developers have formally placed FOCIL at the center of that transition.
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