The Ethereum Foundation is making a strategic pivot towards enhancing security, with plans to achieve 128-bit provable security for Layer 1 zero-knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machines (zkEVMs) by the close of 2026. This shift represents a significant move from a previous focus on performance to a priority on security, which is crucial for the long-term trust and reliability of blockchain systems.
To ensure that this goal is met, the foundation has mandated that all participating zkEVM teams utilize a standardized security measurement tool. This initiative is structured around a comprehensive three-phase roadmap. The initial phase, set for early 2026, will concentrate on a consolidated security assessment.
Following this, the second phase aims to establish at least 100-bit provable security by mid-2026, alongside specific limits on proof sizes. The culmination of this effort will occur in the final phase, which seeks to implement full 128-bit provable security along with smaller proofs and formal soundness arguments by the end of 2026.
Recent advancements in cryptography have made these ambitious targets more attainable, and the authors of the initiative stress that stabilizing the architecture of zkEVMs is vital. This stabilization is seen as a foundational step towards enabling formal verification, which is essential for ensuring long-term security.
This transition from an emphasis on performance experimentation to a commitment to foundational robustness is anticipated to bolster confidence in decentralized applications. As the Ethereum ecosystem continues to evolve, these security enhancements could play a significant role in fostering broader adoption and trust in blockchain technologies.
