Ethereum Foundation unveils comprehensive privacy roadmap with new PSE mission
The Ethereum Foundation has presented a sweeping roadmap to embed end-to-end privacy across its blockchain network, marking a decisive shift in the mission of its Privacy & Scaling Explorations unit. Now rebranded as the Privacy Stewards of Ethereum (PSE), the group has moved its focus from theoretical research toward solving concrete challenges that affect users and institutions.
According to the document compiled by team member Sam Richards, Ethereum risks turning into a tool of global surveillance unless privacy is treated as a fundamental feature.
“Ethereum is on the path to becoming the settlement layer for the world, but without strong privacy, it risks becoming the backbone of global surveillance rather than global freedom. A system without privacy will push institutions and users elsewhere, undermining the very mission that brought Ethereum into existence.,” Richards warned, stressing the network’s long-term role as global financial infrastructure.
The roadmap identifies three strategic tracks: private writes (making confidential onchain actions affordable and seamless), private reads (enabling blockchain queries without exposing identity), and private proving (accelerating the creation and verification of zero-knowledge proofs on consumer devices). These pillars will guide PSE’s work over the coming years, with deliverables evolving alongside the broader ecosystem.
Key initiatives for 2025
In the near term, PSE’s priorities include advancing PlasmaFold, an experimental Layer-2 solution with private transfer features, with a proof of concept expected at Devconnect 2025 in Argentina. The team is also preparing a “State of Private Voting 2025” report and exploring confidential DeFi protocols designed to balance privacy with regulatory compliance. Beyond financial applications, work is underway on privacy-preserving RPC services aimed at minimizing personal data leaks during network interactions.
Another critical front is private proving—dubbed “prove anywhere.” Efforts focus on making zk-proof generation cheaper, faster, and practical on everyday devices, while developing secure identity standards and modular ZKP wallets. These tools could transform how users authenticate, transact, and interact with Ethereum applications, while also supporting institutional adoption.
A community-driven vision
The roadmap emphasizes that Ethereum’s privacy strategy is the result of contributions from across the ecosystem, crediting figures such as Vitalik Buterin, Oskar Thorén, and the Silviculture Society. PSE leaders stressed that their goal is not to monopolize solutions but to foster collaboration and transparency, ensuring privacy becomes the default across protocol, infrastructure, application, and wallet layers.
Ultimately, Ethereum’s privacy vision is rooted in the cypherpunk ethos of resisting surveillance. As governments tighten oversight of digital finance, PSE’s mission is to preserve Ethereum’s role as a platform for freedom and innovation rather than control. The Foundation has invited developers, researchers, and users to join upcoming initiatives, positioning privacy as a shared responsibility for the next stage of blockchain evolution.
Earlier, the Ethereum Foundation announced the sale of 10,000 ETH worth around $43 million to fund research, grants, and strategic donations.
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