Ethereum Foundation prioritizes security, targets 128-bit rule by 2026

The Ethereum Foundation is shifting focus from performance to security, setting a target of 128-bit provable security for L1 zkEVMs by the end of 2026. It requires participating zkEVM teams to adopt a standardized security measurement tool and has laid out a three-phase roadmap to reach the goal.

The first phase focuses on a unified security assessment in early 2026. The second phase targets at least 100-bit provable security by mid-2026, alongside defined proof-size limits. The final phase requires full 128-bit provable security with smaller proofs and formal soundness arguments by the end of 2026.

With recent cryptographic advances making these targets feasible, the authors emphasize that stabilizing zkEVM architectures now is essential to enable formal verification and long-term security, marking a transition from performance experimentation to foundational robustness.