Ethereum Foundation Evaluates Improvement Proposals for Hegotá Upgrade
The Ethereum Foundation has released a comprehensive evaluation of 62 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) related to the upcoming Hegotá upgrade, based on 397 assessments contributed by approximately 60 specialists from nine different teams. A post on social media platform X, dated September 7, details this initiative as part of the foundation’s ongoing efforts to enhance Ethereum’s base layer.
Assessment and Tier List
Two documents were unveiled by the Protocol Cluster, with the first, titled “Hegotá EIP Opinion Post and Tier List,” serving as an assessment of each proposed EIP. This tier list represents the initial collective evaluation of proposals for a single upgrade from the Protocol Cluster, which includes researchers and engineers engaged in evaluating the potential impact of each suggestion.
The ratings provided in the tier list do not guarantee that all 62 proposals will be incorporated into Ethereum’s mainnet; they reflect the perspectives of the Protocol Cluster on each EIP. The Ethereum community, alongside client developers and researchers, will continue to analyze which enhancements can be feasibly integrated within the development timeline of Hegotá.
Focus Areas for Hegotá Upgrade
As reported by crypto.news in August, the focus for the Hegotá upgrade encompasses various themes, including:
- Measures to avoid censorship
- Native account abstraction methods
- Privacy enhancements
- Validator economics
- Adjustments to gas pricing
At that time, the only confirmed feature for inclusion was EIP-7805, known as Fork Choice-enforced Inclusion Lists. This proposal aims to empower a selection of validators to publish lists detailing which transactions should be prioritized by block builders, thus mitigating the dominance of centralized infrastructure over transaction selection.
Execution Client Teams and Proposal Discussions
Additionally, execution client teams have been tasked with submitting their preferences for Hegotá proposals by September 10. Discussions surrounding the proposals have touched on alternative designs for account abstraction, optimized slot timings, innovative pricing strategies, privacy improvements, and reforms to validator incentives, although these conversations do not ensure that any proposal will ultimately be accepted.
Roadmap and Future Developments
The current roadmap for Ethereum indicates that Hegotá is scheduled for implementation in 2027, following the Glamsterdam upgrade expected at the close of 2026. However, this timeline remains fluid, as successful deployment necessitates thorough testing, client coordination, and various stages of implementation to ensure a smooth transition to mainnet activation.
Strategic Commitments Beyond Hegotá
The second article published by the Protocol Cluster, titled “Current and Emerging Priorities,” outlines strategic commitments that extend beyond a single hard fork, emphasizing a commitment to achieving quantum resistance for Ethereum Layer 1 by December 2029. Fredrik Svantes, who is responsible for protocol coordination at the Ethereum Foundation, stated that work is underway to ensure that the Ethereum network can withstand the potential threats posed by quantum computing—an area of concern given that present cryptographic techniques may be compromised by future quantum capabilities.
Preparing for Quantum Security
To prepare for this shift, Ethereum researchers are dividing efforts into multiple categories, including user accounts, validator signatures, consensus mechanisms, data handling, and zero-knowledge proofs. Initial experiments related to account-level protections have already begun, with strategies allowing users to enhance their accounts’ security without waiting for a major upgrade, using smart contract logic for minimal cost.
A draft proposal from late August outlines how a new validator deposit contract could adapt to accommodate advancements in signature systems, indicating a progressive approach to maintaining Ethereum’s security. The transition to new cryptography frameworks must be carefully managed to ensure compatibility with existing validators and staking infrastructures.
Challenges and Community Engagement
Efforts to support native account abstraction may also align with Ethereum’s quantum security strategy—enabling different authorization methodologies for transactions. The Ethereum roadmap continues to prioritize enhancements in privacy, scalability, and proof verification, placing public interest initiatives alongside advanced security measures.
A significant challenge remains, as the Hegotá upgrade will not encompass all aspects of Ethereum’s extensive long-term development agenda. The tier list process will aid in establishing which proposals possess adequate support, require further investigation, or may introduce excessive complexity for the upgrade. All proposals will undergo the standard Ethereum development process, including implementation by client teams and public testing, before any features are confirmed for mainnet.
Interestingly, Ethereum’s targeted timeline for achieving quantum resistance aligns closely with the U.S. federal government’s own timeline for transitioning to post-quantum cryptography, as outlined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST has recently approved three new standards aimed at fortifying systems against quantum vulnerabilities, advising organizations to start moving away from susceptible cryptographic algorithms before the 2035 deadline.
While Ethereum’s roadmap does not impose regulatory obligations on U.S. stakeholders, it does provide valuable context for American organizations assessing their cryptography in anticipation of impending quantum computing advancements. In a bid to engage with the community, the Foundation has also arranged an AMA session on September 16 at 14:00 UTC within Reddit’s r/ethereum forum to address inquiries regarding the Hegotá tier list and upcoming priorities.
