Ethereum has released its roadmap for 2024, focusing on scalability, security, and sustainability improvements.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin announced the plan on social media on Dec. 31, outlining several key initiatives for the platform’s development.

Enhancements in scalability

In 2022, Ethereum underwent a significant change known as ‘The Merge,’ transitioning from a proof-of-work (PoW) to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. The transition is expected to reduce the platform’s energy consumption and lay the groundwork for future enhancements.

‘The Surge,’ a crucial component of Ethereum’s roadmap, aims to increase network scalability through data sharding. By dividing the blockchain into smaller parts, Ethereum intends to boost its transaction processing capabilities and reduce costs, addressing one of the most pressing issues faced by blockchain technologies today.

This development is expected to bring Ethereum closer to achieving its goal of processing over 100,000 transactions per second, as noted by Buterin in recent statements.

Network streamlining and future research

‘The Scourge’ and ‘The Verge’ focus on enhancing network security and user experience, respectively.

The Scourge is designed to tackle potential security vulnerabilities and improve the robustness of the network, including the challenges posed by Miner Extractable Value (MEV) and liquidity pooling.

On the other hand, The Verge aims to streamline user experiences and provide improved tools for developers, making Ethereum more accessible and efficient.

The roadmap also includes ‘The Purge’ and ‘The Splurge.’

The Purge involves removing outdated code to improve network efficiency and security.

Meanwhile, The Splurge represents an investment in Ethereum’s future, exploring emerging technologies like zero-knowledge proofs and rollups and fostering innovation within the Ethereum ecosystem.

Foundational principles

Buterin has emphasized the need for Ethereum to reconnect with its original cypherpunk vision, which prioritizes decentralized applications, privacy protection, and peer-to-peer communication.

This includes integrating rollups and zero-knowledge proofs to enable more private and censorship-resistant applications on the Ethereum network.

Ethereum’s 2024 roadmap reflects a comprehensive strategy to address current challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities in the blockchain space. With a focus on scalability, security, sustainability, and staying true to its foundational principles, Ethereum is poised to strengthen its position as a leader in the digital currency ecosystem.