The Ethereum Foundation is prioritizing near-term protocol upgrades that aim to deliver tangible improvements in user experience and scalability within the next few development cycles, signaling a shift away from abstract, long-horizon research.

Quotes that support claims

The Ethereum Foundation will shift much of its research to ‘near-term’ goals, including addressing user experience and scaling challenges in upcoming protocol upgrades.

Within the EF we will shift much of our research effort toward near-term goals, aiming to address user experience and scaling challenges in the next two protocol upgrades.