- The Merge remains Ethereum’s top priority to transition to a more energy-efficient proof-of-stake consensus mechanism
- Boosting throughput to 100,000 transactions per second across blockchain and Layer 2 is called “The Surge” and critical for supporting global adoption
- “The Scourge” focuses on limiting economic centralization risks from MEV and concentrated liquid staking services
Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has shared an updated 2024 roadmap that outlines the core priorities for the Ethereum ecosystem. The roadmap provides insight into the future development of the world’s second-largest blockchain.
The Merge
The Merge remains the top priority. This transition will shift Ethereum from proof-of-work to a more energy-efficient proof-of-stake consensus mechanism. The Merge is essential for Ethereum to scale sustainably.
The Surge
Another key goal is boosting Ethereum’s throughput to 100,000 transactions per second across the blockchain and Layer 2 networks. This scaling solution is referred to as “The Surge” and will be key for Ethereum to support global adoption.
The Scourge
With the growth of decentralized finance, limiting economic centralization has become an urgent issue. “The Scourge” focuses on mitigating risks from MEV and concentrated liquid staking services like Lido.
The Verge
“The Verge” refers to optimizations that will make block verification easier and more efficient. This will further boost Ethereum’s scalability as transaction volume increases.
The Purge
Buterin wants to simplify Ethereum’s overly complex protocol to make it more accessible to developers and users. This goal is called “The Purge.”
The Splurge
“The Splurge” is a catch-all category for everything else, including ecosystem growth, sustainability, and human coordination. Ethereum has a vibrant community and ecosystem that need nurturing.
Conclusion
The 2024 roadmap shows how Ethereum development is prioritizing scalability, security, decentralization, and usability. While the timeline is uncertain, the roadmap provides valuable insight into Ethereum’s evolution in becoming the world’s decentralized computer.
