Ethereum Foundation Prioritizes 128-Bit Security for zkEVMs by 2026

The Ethereum Foundation has announced a shift in focus towards security for Ethereum and zkEVM, planning to implement a 128-bit security standard by 2026.

This move aims to enhance cryptographic security, potentially affecting zkEVM scaling, while reinforcing Ethereum’s attractiveness to institutional and high-value applications.

Security Focus Gains Community and Institutional Support

Ethereum Foundation’s latest roadmap centers on implementing a minimum 128-bit security standard for zkEVMs by 2026. Vitalik Buterin, co-founder, has consistently championed this focus, favoring security and correctness over speed. The research and cryptography teams are steering this effort with planned security audit tools and assessments.

The Foundation is prioritizing resistance to attacks over performance enhancements. The transition could slow some projects, but it underscores the long-term credibility required to attract institutions and high-value applications. The intent is to formalize tools and security review frameworks by 2026.

Rollups must be secure and censorship‑resistant first, and performance optimizations should not come from weakening cryptographic assumptions. — Vitalik Buterin

Community and expert responses highlight alignment with existing security-first views. Notably, zkEVM teams, including Polygon, Scroll, and zkSync, must demonstrate provable 128-bit security to maintain alignment with Ethereum’s standards. Current leaders express approval of the security-first approach.

Market Data and Future Insights

Did you know? A stronger cryptographic foundation is expected to minimize risk and improve industry resilience.

Ethereum (ETH), currently priced at $2,974.48, holds a market cap of $359.00 billion, marking a 12.04% dominance. Notably, its 24-hour trading volume dropped by 65.50%, while recent price movements show a 6.09% rise over 30 days but a 30.60% decline over 90 days. As of December 21, 2025, these figures indicate considerable market activity and volatility per CoinMarketCap.

The Coincu research team anticipates significant regulatory and technological shifts. Experts see this move bolstering Ethereum’s appeal to institutions and enhancing the framework for integrating secure DeFi applications.