Ethereum Targets 10,000 TPS by 2026 as ZK Proof Validation Replaces Transaction Re-Execution in Lean Execution Phase

COINOTAG News notes that industry analysts view 2026 as a pivotal year for Ethereum scalability through zero-knowledge proofs (ZK proofs). The scenario envisions a shift where a portion of validators will validate ZK proofs per block rather than re-executing transactions, potentially delivering Layer 1 throughput comparable to the historic PoW-to-PoS transition in 2022.

Prominent researcher Justin Drake suggests initial validators would validate ZK proofs for each block, unlocking near-instant Layer 1 scalability and laying groundwork toward a long-term target near 10,000 TPS. The current mainnet processes roughly 30 TPS, underscoring the magnitude of the shift.

Devconnet demonstrations showed ZK proof validation running on an ordinary laptop, signaling practical feasibility. By late 2026, a subset of validators may adopt ZK validation, easing hardware needs while preserving decentralization. The roadmap places Phase 0 now, Phase 1 in 2026, and Phase 2 in 2027, finalizing full ZK rollup execution.