The Ethereum Foundation is overhauling how it develops the leading smart contract network. The new 2026 Protocol Priorities discard fragmented one-off upgrades in favor of three permanent tracks: Scale, Improve UX, and Harden the L1. This shift builds on the successful Pectra and Fusaka upgrades delivered in 2025.
Scale Track Merges L1 and Blob Expansion
The most notable change combines mainnet scaling and blob scaling under a single team led by Ansgar Dietrichs and Marius van der Wijden. The goal is to push the gas limit beyond 100 million while enabling Layer 2 networks to grow faster. Previously handled separately, these tasks now share resources and technical targets.
Improve UX Targets Wallet Recovery and Fee Simplification
Led by Barnabé Monnot and Matt Garnett, the Improve UX track aims to make Ethereum as straightforward as a typical banking app. Key initiatives include account abstraction for wallet recovery and streamlining how users pay transaction fees across chains.
Harden the L1 Prepares for Post-Quantum Threats
The newly formed Harden the L1 team—comprising Fredrik, Pari, and Thomas—focuses on long-term security risks, especially quantum computing's potential to break current cryptography. Although a practical quantum attack is years away, early preparation signals a forward-looking security posture.
Key 2026 Upgrade Milestones
The first test of this new structure is the Glamsterdam upgrade in early 2026, followed by the Hegotá upgrade later in the year. If both succeed, Ethereum could solidify its role as the foundational layer for the global digital economy. As with any major network change, market volatility is possible. This content is for informational purposes only and not financial advice.