Ethereum Fast L1 Vision: Vitalik Buterin Unveils Slots and Finality Strawmap Plan

TLDR

Vitalik proposes to cut Ethereum's transaction time from 12 seconds to 2 seconds using the Square(2) formula.

Ethereum's p2p layer updates code to reduce propagation time across the network.

The low end algorithm is targeting a reduction from 16 minutes to just 8 seconds today.
Ethereum's quantum-proof upgrades will roll out in stages, with spot protection arriving first.

Vitalik Buterin took center stage on Ethereum's fast L1 goal when he published a detailed Stroman Roadmap detailing how the network plans to develop its base layer.

The document covers login time reduction, peer-to-peer network improvements, and a new endpoint algorithm. Buterin goes through each goal methodically, explaining how the changes are connected.

The roadmap shows a step-by-step, piece-by-piece transformation of Ethereum's consensus layer into a faster, simpler, and quantum-resistant design.

Gambling time and network architecture with fast L1 core

Ethereum's fast L1 goal starts with a time reduction composed of multiple incremental steps. Buterin proposes moving from the current 12 seconds to 8, 6, 4, 3 and finally 2 seconds per position.

Each reduction follows the “sqrt(2) at a time” formula, steps are taken only when safety is confirmed.

Supporting shorter intervals requires major improvements at the network layer. Buterin points to continued work on the improved peer-to-peer design by @raulvk using extinction code.

The new architecture divides each block into pieces so that any sub-piece is sufficient to reconstruct the entire block.

In his article, Buterin explains: “Divide each block into 8 parts and have them rebuild the whole block with all four.” This design minimizes the 95th percentile multiplication time and implements shorter intervals without safety trade-offs.

That said, adding protocols like ePBS and FOCIL to the slot structure tightens the timelines. These changes reduce the window of safe duration from a key one-third to one-fifth.

To compensate for this, researchers are exploring a model where between 256 and 1,024 randomly selected validators sign per interval, eliminating the summary step and further shortening login duration.

Final step improvement and transition to quantum-resistant consensus

Beyond the testing period, Strowman's roadmap aims to completely re-engineer how Ethereum reaches its ultimate goal. Today, completion takes an average of 16 minutes, calculated at 12-second intervals, 32-slot epochs, and 2.5 epochs. Buterin wants to completely detach from the slot so that everyone can be comfortable in their own way.

The target is a one-round finite algorithm called Minimit, a variant of the established BFT consensus design. The projected trajectory will move through several intermediate steps starting at 16 minutes today, eventually reaching a minimum of 8 seconds with attack minimums.

These changes lead to the transition to post-quantum cryptography, including hash-based signatures and a STARK-friendly hash function.

Three hash function options are under active research: adjusting Poseidon2's round count, reverting to Poseidon1, or adopting BLAKE3 as the default option.

Buterine described the overall change as a “The Ship of Theseus.” A style process, replacing each layer of the Ethereum consensus one by one.

In particular, the standardized approach means that site-level quantum resistance can arrive earlier than end-level protection, providing an early layer of security if quantum computing progresses faster than expected.