2019 is out and TextMesh Pro is still an optional packaged-sideline to the main UI text.
It is great but is it to become the main/default text solution at some point?
Will the new UI system use TextMesh Pro by default or has that got its own solution?
Short answer - Bright 
In the 2019 cycle, the “Create - UI - Text” will now end up creating a text object with a component. The current UI - Text will be renamed UI - Text - Legacy. The underlying classes will not change as to maintain backwards compatibility.
A new text system called TextCore (currently internal) will eventually be leveraged by the TMP text components where the parsing, layout and geometry building will be handled by this new text system instead of the TMP components themselves. Basically, this core functionality will be shifted to the new system behind the text components thus on the surface ensuring the TMP components continue to behave as expected while gaining access to the new system and additional feature set.
UI Elements will also be able to leverage the new system for its text needs.
The new FontEngine is another new system that TMP is now using to provide the new Dynamic SDF capabilities.This similarly shifts some of the TMP functionality that used to be provided by the native plugin to a newer and more capable system internal to Unity.
Back to the TextMesh Pro topic, expect the TMP text components to get lighter weight (smaller memory footprint) as the functionality shifts over to the new system and with possible performance gains as well while providing added functionality.
Another important goal is to provide as smooth as possible transition to the new system which is why the TMP text components will remain although most of the gut / functionality will be provided by the new system.
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Sounds good, thanks for the update!