Vitalik Buterin, one of the founders of Ethereum, made an important statement about the future of the network. Open source blockchain platform Ethereum is known as one of the major infrastructure providers of decentralized applications in the digital asset world. Buterin stated that Ethereum will be made resistant to quantum computers within the scope of a new development program over the next four years. The plan called Strawmap, pointed out by Buterin, aims to strengthen the platform, especially in the field of post-quantum cryptography.
Cryptography Resistant to Quantum Computers
Quantum computers appear to have the technical capacity to bypass existing encryption methods. Therefore, digital assets and blockchain networks are working on new solutions in terms of long-term security. In this context, Ethereum aims to have a structure that is resistant to quantum computers with hash-based signature algorithms. The Strawmap plan envisions integrating such signatures in the first two network updates.
Strawmap and Update Schedule
Strawmap was published on strawmap.org following an Ethereum Foundation workshop in January 2026. The name of the plan is derived from the combination of the traditional terms “strawman” and “roadmap”, revealing that the program is open to changes during the development process. The four-year roadmap includes approximately seven network updates to be delivered every six months. In 2026, updates codenamed Glamsterdam and Hegotá are on the agenda.
Vitalik Buterin shared the plan in question with the public on the social media platform X. Following the developments, it is stated that quantum resilience is no longer a theoretical research topic but has been included in the official update plan.
Together with Strawmap, Ethereum’s development team also aims to improve the transaction speed of the blockchain. Buterin’s suggestions include reducing the block time to two seconds and reducing the finalization time of transactions to approximately 6 to 16 seconds.
Other Blockchains and Plan’s Flexibility
Apart from Ethereum, major blockchain projects such as Bitcoin and Solana also continue to work on long-term security measures against quantum computers. Post-quantum cryptography is seen as a growing priority across the industry.
The fixed six-month update cycle reveals a faster and more regular renewal pace for Ethereum compared to previous periods. However, it is also noted that the development schedule and clocked quantum resistance targets specified in the Strawmap document may change as development continues.
