The Ethereum Foundation Protocol Team has updated its roadmap, setting a target of December 2029 for quantum-resistant upgrades on Layer 1. The plan encompasses the execution layer, consensus layer, and data availability, and is being advanced in parallel with the Hegoeta upgrade, zkEVM, privacy, and finality research.
Targeting coverage of three protocol layers by 2029
The timeline was proposed in a priority update released by the foundation on September 7, with further clarification provided by researchers during a Reddit AMA on September 16. The team assumes as an aggressive planning premise that quantum computers capable of posing real-world threats could emerge around 2030.
Currently, Ethereum heavily relies on elliptic curve signatures. To achieve quantum resistance, the account system must be able to switch authentication methods without requiring each hard fork. Adjustments to the consensus layer are more complex, as validator signatures and aggregation mechanisms are deeply embedded, and the data availability component also requires gradual replacement of its cryptographic dependencies.
The foundation also reminds users that the mainnet protocol upgrade does not automatically mean the entire ecosystem has been migrated. Wallets, custodial systems, cross-chain bridges, Rollups, and application layers may continue to rely on traditional cryptography, so external systems must also identify and replace these dependencies before the mainnet deadline.
Frame Transactions纳入 Hegotá
EIP-8141, also known as Frame Transactions, has been scheduled for the Hegotá upgrade. This proposal decomposes transaction validation, execution, and gas payment into programmable modules, enabling accounts to define their own authorization methods rather than being permanently tied to existing signature models.
The current solution also incorporates EIP-8250's keyed nonces and EIP-8272's recent roots. The research team believes this combination supports privacy scenarios while providing a pathway to gradually move away from the secp256k1 master key. However, this specification is still a draft, and the mainnet launch date for Hegotá has not yet been finalized.
zkEVM: Optional Execution Proof for Testing
In the zkEVM roadmap, EIP-8025 proposes initially introducing optional execution proofs. Under this design, validators and nodes can generate or use execution proofs without altering the current consensus validity rules. The team aims to first test proof generation, transmission, verification, and client integration on a live network before deciding whether to make proofs mandatory.
The foundation previously disclosed that the zkVM system can generate proofs for 99% of Ethereum blocks within 10 seconds on target hardware, but security preparations are not yet complete. The research team also emphasized that formal verification cannot replace testing, as issues were still discovered in some implementations even after mathematical proofs had been completed.
Privacy and finality continue to advance in parallel.
Privacy research remains one of the key directions being advanced in parallel through multiple upgrades. The current plan is to first deploy transaction-layer tools around Hegotá, including Frames and FOCIL, and then gradually advance quantum-resistant privacy and encrypted mempool designs. FOCIL aims to reduce reliance on a single block builder for transaction inclusion.
Another native private transfer proposal, EIP-8182, was removed from Hegotá in September. The protocol team believes that a Frames-based approach can similarly support privacy features without directly embedding a specific privacy system into the protocol. Meanwhile, the post-Hegotá I* fork candidate direction points toward "decoupling consensus," aiming to gradually reduce finality times from minutes to seconds.