The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has introduced a new long-term plan called the “Strawmap.” It outlines up to seven possible network upgrades (forks) between now and 2029.
The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has introduced a new long-term plan called the “Strawmap.” It outlines up to seven possible network upgrades (forks) between now and 2029.
The plan was by Justin Drake, a researcher on the EF Protocol team. He described it as a discussion tool, not a fixed prediction. Its goal is to help developers and the wider community align on Ethereum’s long-term direction for its base layer (Layer 1).
Unlike short-term upgrade plans, the Strawmap looks several years ahead. It assumes roughly one network fork every six months, totaling seven forks by 2029. However, the timeline is flexible and could change.
The idea came from an Foundation workshop in January 2026. Participants discussed how to align long-term goals with near-term upgrades and technical limits.
At the heart of the strawmap are five ambitious goals, described as “north stars” for Ethereum’s base layer:
These goals frame Ethereum’s long-term push toward scalability, security, and privacy while preserving decentralization.
The Strawmap is organized in a visual timeline. It separates upgrades into three areas:
Some upcoming forks already have names, such as Glamsterdam and Hegotá, while others are placeholders. Each fork usually includes one major upgrade for consensus and one for execution to keep development manageable.
The Ethereum Foundation stresses that this is not a final roadmap. Ethereum is decentralized, so no single plan represents everyone’s view. The Strawmap is meant to guide discussion and may change as research, governance decisions, and new technologies evolve.
It will be updated at least every quarter, and community feedback is encouraged. Overall, the Strawmap gives the Ethereum ecosystem a clearer long-term framework to debate how the network should grow, scale, and innovate through 2029 and beyond.
