Ethereum shifts to security-first: 128-bit cryptography standard to be implemented in 2026, zkEVM project faces new challenges

【CryptoWorld】The Ethereum Foundation recently sent an important signal to developers: the focus will no longer be on chasing speed recklessly, but on solidifying the foundation of security. According to plan, the foundation will fully implement the 128-bit security standard by 2026, which is recognized as the minimum security level in modern cryptography.

Looking back over the past year, zkEVM solutions have indeed shown impressive performance. However, issues have also emerged—some of the mathematical assumptions underlying certain solutions have not been fully validated, and there is a theoretical risk of on-chain state tampering. This is clearly a ticking time bomb for the ecosystem.

The foundation’s approach is clear: strengthen formal verification, enhance attack resistance, and solidify cryptographic security at the core. In the future, dedicated security auditing tools will be provided to ensure that scaling solutions like zkEVM meet new standards.

Frankly, the new rules may slow down the progress of some projects. But in the long run, this decision is very pragmatic—attack resistance and trustworthiness are the real trump cards for attracting institutional investors and high-value applications. Once security is solidified, performance optimization will naturally follow.