rewrite this title Allocation Update – Q1 2026 | Ethereum Foundation Blog

Application InfrastructureDeveloper toolingEthereumJS maintenanceMaintenance for the EthereumJS TypeScript stack to ensure reliability and compatibility with execution-layer changes. This includes implementing protocol updates, improving tests, and supporting downstream developers.LinkApplication layerResearchProtecting Ethereum User Anonymity via TorEnhances Ethereum light client privacy by integrating Tor. This project designs and implements a Tor-based mitigation scheme, improving user anonymity and network resilience.Application layerEcosystem developmentERC-8004 Developers EngagementFosters ERC-8004 community growth by providing technical assistance and coordinating builder engagement. Supports decentralized AI engineers through direct feedback and Devconnect event curation.Application layerDeveloper toolingBuidlGuidl: AI-Ready Ethereum Education & Infrastructure MaintenanceTransitions flagship Ethereum education and developer tools, including SpeedRunEthereum and Scaffold-ETH 2, into an AI-ready maintenance mode. The project sustains core infrastructure and supports enterprise certification efforts.LinkApplication layerDeveloper toolingOpen Creator RailsDevelopes a verifiable on-chain runtime for managing time-bound access to digital resources, supporting subscriptions and privacy-preserving linkage.Application layerDeveloper toolingWalletconnect clear signing libraryDevelopes a library and POC wallet to solve the blind signing problem, enhancing transaction security and user transparency.LinkCommunityEcosystem developmentDeveloper Growth 2026 SupportOptimizes the developer funnel, leading enterprise certification efforts, and shaping ecosystem funding strategy for developer growth.CommunityEcosystem developmentSpecialized Event SupportSupports the operations and systems rollout for Specialized Events in H1 2026, including planning coordination and invoicing workflows.CommunityEcosystem developmentCornell Blockchain Conference 2025An academic conference at Cornell Tech convening researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders to examine U.S.-based crypto innovation and its implications for financial systems and public infrastructure.LinkCommunityEcosystem developmentL2 Event at Network SchoolA private, high-signal gathering of Layer 2 teams in Singapore focused on roadmap alignment, L1–L2 coordination, and collaborative R&D, strengthening long-term protocol collaboration across APAC and global ecosystems.LinkCommunityEcosystem developmentInvisible GardenSupport for Invisible Garden, a developer pop-up city in Buenos Aires focused on Ethereum, ZK, AI, and cybersecurity.LinkCryptographyResearchPoseidon BountyAwarded for solutions to the Poseidon team’s Bounty Program: M31-6-4Link, More details on the bounties can be found hereCryptographyResearchPoseidon Gröbner Bases ExploratorySystematizes algebraic modeling to determine Gröbner basis attack complexity on Poseidon instances. Large-scale experiments will derive an updated round-number formula, enhancing security analysis.CryptographyResearchLocal MixingDevelops a practical, open-source indistinguishability obfuscation (iO) using reversible circuits. This Rust implementation aims to scale from small to large circuits, improving privacy for Ethereum applications.LinkCryptographyDeveloper toolingGPU-Accelerated R1CS Witness Generation based on MLIR Compiler stackBuilds an MLIR-based compiler stack for an end-to-end R1CS pipeline to decouple ZK circuit authoring from hardware optimizations. This reduces fragmentation and demonstrates GPU-based witness generation for future zkVM integration.LinkCryptographyEcosystem developmentHigh Assurance Crypto Software WorkshopThe High Assurance Crypto Software Workshop (HACS) is a small workshop that brings together cryptographers, cryptographic software engineers, and formal verification experts to improve the security and correctness of real world cryptographicLinkCryptographyResearchFormalising Proximity Generators and Related PropertiesAdd new coding theory definitions and theorems to the ArkLib Lean library, focusing on distance preservation and proximity generators for Reed Solomon codes.LinkCryptographyResearchLocal mixing approach to obfuscationResearches local mixing as a new approach to practical obfuscation, aiming to prove its security and develop a new cryptographic primitive.LinkDAOs/GovernanceResearchgov/acc support & knowledge commons handbookBuilds a comprehensive knowledge commons to map open problems, solutions, and active contributors in governance research. This project combines data collection and community workshops to create a reusable framework for research coordination.LinkDecentralized IdentityEcosystem developmentAdvancing the did:ethr Method SpecificationAdvances the did:ethr Decentralized Identifier standard by modernizing its specification and improving EVM interoperability. This research and tooling update addresses usability gaps to achieve DIF Recommended status across the ecosystem.LinkDeFiDashboardOpen-Source Research PlatformEnables systematic study of blockchain and DeFi transaction patterns. This open-source platform provides curated datasets, benchmarks, and tools for reproducible empirical research, accelerating cumulative insights.Ethereum ProtocolEcosystem developmentInternship Program 2026, Protocol SnarkificationEnsuring the mathematical correctness of Ethereum’s scaling infrastructure, this work applies formal verification to cryptographic protocols and zkVM circuits.Ethereum ProtocolEcosystem developmentEthereum Founders and VCs – Hong Kong Strategic ForumA focused, strategic Forum and networking mixer in HK to bring together institutional capital, leading VCs, and Ethereum mainnet founders to define the future of the EVM landscape toward 2026.Ethereum ProtocolDashboard[Pectra Round] Post-Pectra Network DashboardInsights into the Beacon network’s validator consolidation and p2p bandwidth usage are now available. This dashboard tracks improvements post-Pectra hardfork with real-time and historical data.LinkEthereum ProtocolApplicationLighthouse – November 2025 to April 2026Develops Lighthouse client features for the Fusaka transition and BPO forks. This R&D effort will implement Glamsterdam, tree sync, and expand adversarial testing for improved mainnet resilience and modularity.LinkEthereum ProtocolEcosystem developmentPerformance Benchmarking GrantDevelops tooling to generate bloated and easily maintainable states 10x Mainnet size. This work identifies and addresses performance bottlenecks, prioritizing critical, underrepresented areas in stateful testing.LinkEthereum ProtocolResearchZeam Phase 3 – leanEthereum spec & impl with a zig lean clientDevelops Lean consensus, focusing on PQ consensus, fast finality research, and ZK-verified consensus with a ZK lightclient attesting protocol.LinkLayer 2DashboardL2BEAT – 2026Sustains L2BEAT’s critical work providing onchain transparency and security assessments for Ethereum Layer 2s. Supports 2026 priorities including an interoperability dashboard, tokens transparency, and a DA risk framework.LinkNodes and ClientsResearchDISC-NG Geth Project ProposalIntegrates DISC-NG into Geth, replacing random walks with structured advertisements for faster, more predictable Ethereum peer discovery.LinkNodes and ClientsApplicationErigon & Zilkworm (H1 2026)Develops Erigon’s zkEVM guest program, Zilkworm, in C++. This enhances Erigon’s capabilities as a high-performance, compact Ethereum client with cutting-edge zero-knowledge proof technology.LinkNodes and ClientsDeveloper toolingBesu client integration with HSMDevelops a production-ready PKCS#11 plugin for the Besu client to ensure validator key generation and signing occur entirely within Hardware Security Modules, removing a major compliance blocker for institutional Ethereum adoption.Nodes and ClientsEcosystem developmentVeroDevelops a multi-node validator client that mitigates consensus bugs by combining views from multiple execution and consensus client pairs. Operators can configure safety thresholds before attesting to chain state.LinkNodes and ClientsResearchEthproofs zkAttesterValidates zk-based attestation in a live Ethereum staking environment by operating a mainnet validator running the Lighthouse zkAttester branch.LinkOtherEcosystem developmentProductizing the CommonsThis project is focused on scoping pilots to Productize the Commons, exploring embedded and voluntary mechanisms, specifically around DeFi curators as public goods stewards, and public goods UI or frontends for protocols like ENS, Aave, and Uniswap.OtherEcosystem developmentEthereum Vancouver 2026Fosters a vibrant Ethereum ecosystem in Vancouver, connecting startups, researchers, and the public through regular, high-signal events. This initiative cultivates local talent and collaboration.PrivacyDeveloper toolingKohaku – Privacy Pool and TC IntegrationsIntegrates Privacy Pool v1 and TC into the Kohaku SDK, empowering wallet teams to adopt privacy features with minimal developer effort.LinkPrivacyResearchOpenAC Analysis and DocumentationAnalyzes the OpenAC access control system’s relationship to selective disclosure and credential presentation standards. This project produces technical mappings to inform ecosystem discussions without introducing new mechanisms.LinkPrivacyDeveloper toolingdRPC NodeCore load balancerFunding to support dRPC’s work on open-sourced RPC load balancer NodeCore.LinkPrivacyDeveloper toolingOblivious Labs server <> KohakuBuilds an Oblivious server to handle requests from the Kohaku extension’s embedded execution client, enabling private state reading.LinkPrivacyDeveloper toolingUnblocking Tor bridge scalabilityAddresses scalability issues with Tor bridges to support the EF Privacy Team’s integration work and advance network-level privacy.LinkSecurityResearchImproved Round-Skipping for Poseidon(2)(b)Expands cryptanalysis of Poseidon2, exploring advanced round-skipping techniques and extending attacks to new parameter sets and modes. This research also investigates countermeasures like improved round constant selection.SecurityResearchImproved Resultant-based Techniques for the Cryptanalysis of Poseidon(2)(b)Explores resultant degrees in Poseidon2 polynomial systems, developing new algorithms for iterated resultants. Benchmarks these against Gröbner basis techniques for CICO-k, k >= 2.SecurityDeveloper toolingERC-7730 v2 Cross-Platform Clear Signing LibraryEnables mobile wallets to display human-readable transaction previews. This Rust library implements ERC-7730 v2 clear signing, with iOS and Android bindings, replacing raw hex calldata for a better user experience.LinkSecurityDeveloper toolingKohaku light clientIntegrates the Colibri stateless client into the Kohaku SDK and browser extension. This enables trustless, proof-based verification of on-chain state in user-facing environments without relying on centralized RPCs.LinkSecurityDeveloper toolingePBS Specification Compliance“ePBS Specification Compliance” extends the existing Fork Choice compliance test generator to the ePBS changes in the Ethereum Consensus Protocol.LinkSecurityResearchFormal Verification of the Brevis Pico RISC-V zkVMFormally verifies the Brevis Pico RISC-V zkVM core in Lean against the RISC-V specification. It produces a reusable workflow to check zkVM constraints against verified instruction semantics, delivering a proof library and tooling.LinkSociety and RegulatoryResearchEthereum Climate Impact AssessmentUpdates to the Ethereum Climate Impact Assessment will refine electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions estimates post-Merge. This research enhances the public Cambridge Blockchain Network Sustainability Index with current, accurate data.Society and RegulatoryResearchEuropean Decentralisation Institute 2026Supports EDI’s 2026 roadmap to deliver four key policy projects, including research, roundtables, and policy briefs. This effort fosters strategic regulatory engagement and policy development for the Ethereum ecosystem.LinkSociety and RegulatoryEcosystem developmentSynergy Seoul: A Meetup for Ethereum BuildersSynergy Seoul is a 3-day meetup featuring a strategic matching program to connect local builders with key stakeholders. This initiative aims to foster deep, sustainable integration within the Korean Ethereum ecosystem.UX/UIEcosystem developmentImprove UX WorkDevelops the Open Intents Framework and Interop SDK, advancing Ethereum interoperability standards like ERC-7930. This work improves cross-chain UX, supporting token standards, balance consolidation, and messaging for wider adoption.LinkUX/UIResearchUse Case Lab – Program SpecialistSupports the Use Case Lab in identifying and unblocking high-potential Ethereum use cases beyond finance through research and pilot interventions.Zero-knowledge ProofsResearchCryptanalysis of Poseidon within Fiat-ShamirInvestigates cryptographic vulnerabilities in Poseidon-based Fiat-Shamir proof systems and folding schemes. Explores potential weaknesses in FRI-based commitments and whether SumCheck reductions expose new attack vectors.Zero-knowledge ProofsDeveloper toolingAccelerated Minimal Trace ConstructionOptimizes ZisKVM trace construction by pipelining EVM precompile hints and block inputs with sequential emulation. This concurrent workflow significantly lowers end-to-end latency and increases throughput for real-time proving.LinkZero-knowledge ProofsResearchAVAZAR: Automatic verification tools for zkVM arithmetizationAutomatic tools to verify the equivalence between witness computation semantics and polynomial constraint systems for zkVMs.LinkZero-knowledge ProofsDeveloper toolingThe Evolution of the LLZK IRAdvances the LLZK intermediate representation with support for formal specifications, polymorphic free functions, and witness generation.LinkZero-knowledge ProofsResearchRust Verification Through Lean 4 Tooling InvestigationInvestigates the formal verification of Rust components in zkEVM/zkVM stacks using Lean 4 and the hax toolchain.LinkZero-knowledge ProofsResearchAxiom + OpenVM Formal Verification GrantEstablishes a Lean-based formal verification system for OpenVM to prove the functional correctness of RV32IM opcode circuits.Link