Vitalik Buterin projects zk‑EVMs to dominate Ethereum validation in 2027–2030

On January 4, 2026, Vitalik Buterin said on X that zk‑EVMs are expected to become Ethereum's primary block validation method between 2027 and 2030. He outlined a phased plan: larger gas limits in 2026 via BALs and ePBS, initial zk‑EVM node usage that year, and further increases as PeerDAS (2025) and zk‑EVMs mature.