Original Block unicorn Block unicorn July 8, 2025 17:00 Guangdong Article author: Francesco
Article compiled by: Block unicorn
Preface
In recent years, Ethereum has been at a crossroads.
Increasing criticism has led to changes in the Foundation's leadership, with hopes for a broader review to enhance transparency and participation, and to place greater emphasis on value capture at the L1 level.
Previously, it was difficult to see executive directors speaking in multiple panel discussions at Ethereum conferences. This week, I was pleased to see Tomasz K. Stańczak (Co-Executive Director of the Ethereum Foundation) participating in as many activities and panel discussions as possible.
This is truly refreshing, and I hope it heralds the direction for future developments.
So... what is Ethereum's future vision?
How can we ensure this vision is executed well?
This article provides an overview of the vision for Ethereum.
Goals
To have a structured vision, one must start with goals.
For Ethereum, the main goals are as follows:
1. Return to the spirit of crypto, how to protect privacy and trustless characteristics.
This is not just about attracting new users, but ensuring they can leverage these values and spirit to build accordingly.
Build, yes, but with purpose and values.
2. Ensure Ethereum remains the most secure and resilient blockchain infrastructure.
This echoes a post by Vitalik about 'trillion-dollar security'.
This is part of a broader discussion about security:
How to improve the security of Ethereum?
How can this be effectively communicated to users?
How can we ensure that both institutions and users fully benefit from this?
Most importantly:
How can we ensure that all technological developments continue to uphold the core spirit and values of Ethereum? There are no shortcuts and no compromises.
Recently, many have criticized Ethereum and felt somewhat distant from developers.
However, this situation seems poised to change.
In fact, we can expect the Ethereum Foundation to take a slightly more proactive approach and establish new funding policies. Thomas stated that this will be used to explore efficient and sustainable DeFi protocols and strategically allocate funding, shifting from a passive approach to guided management.
This is just one of a series of challenges that will have a profound impact on the long-term future of Ethereum, including:
Regulatory clarity
AI adoption
Privacy issues
One key aspect and recent major trend is the increased rate of institutional adoption.
Ethereum's future vision is to treat different fields and industries as modular components, making them open source and removing intermediaries.
In turn, these modules will ensure a smooth transition from Web2 to Web3, eliminating friction between institutions.
Imagine health agencies from different countries being able to open and contribute health data repositories. All of this is ensured through interactions on the Ethereum chain, guaranteeing the security and verifiability of these solutions.
The ultimate goal? Allow users to trade all assets globally on-chain.
Challenges
However, to achieve this goal, Ethereum needs to address some of the major challenges and confusions faced by users.
Therefore, the future focus will be on addressing some major challenges related to on-chain privacy and identity verification, and tackling the threats posed by AI by establishing Ethereum as a trusted layer for AI execution.
Trustworthy neutrality.
Globalization.
Designed for privacy and security.
All of this will create a diverse environment, establishing a social structure that enables collaboration among different participants, with the ultimate goal of making Ethereum a antifragile network.
To truly resist centralization, it is essential to ensure participation from around the world and incorporate diverse voices and methods to build a truly global network.
This will allow Ethereum to listen to important issues and empower diversity.
It is also refreshing to hear about the tensions between L1 and L2; the Ethereum Foundation has made it clear that there is no opposition between them.
On the contrary, Ethereum will more actively guide how to ensure these L2s reach the second stage, protecting users through Ethereum as the underlying foundational layer.
Last but not least, we have seen the emergence of real-time blockchains, such as MegaETH, and other fast networks, such as Monad and Hyperliquid.
This also raises questions about interoperability and integration:
How to ensure they are connected to the Ethereum mainnet?
How to build a blockchain with a 25 millisecond block time inheriting Ethereum's security parameters?
Therefore, it is necessary to introduce new tools to verify at what levels new challenges can be identified and to ensure that clients can integrate with these networks.
This opens up a new creative space for client development.
All Ethereum client teams agree on consuming 45 million to 60 million Gas per block, with the goal of reaching 100 million Gas by the end of this year or the first quarter of next year.
Internal restructuring will help achieve this goal; modular teams will work towards common objectives:
Scale L1
Scale Blob
Improve user experience
Enhance interoperability
You heard it right: scaling L1 (previously neglected area) is one of these goals.
I am personally optimistic about Ethereum, welcoming this awakening, and hope to see further progress.