Ethereum’s Upcoming Upgrade: Glamsterdam
Ethereum’s core development team has provided a significant update regarding the ongoing preparations for the upcoming upgrade, dubbed Glamsterdam. The first development network (devnet) for this enhancement is anticipated to launch next week, contingent upon the stabilization of the current ePBS devnet, as noted in a tweet by developer Nixo.
Key Changes with Glamsterdam
Glamsterdam is poised to introduce complex changes, notably through the implementation of Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS). This process divides block production responsibilities between two parties that coordinate sequentially within the consensus mechanism, a shift from the prior model that operates outside the protocol. This fundamental alteration requires the system to address potential conflicts or failures between the two entities involved, which greatly complicates the entire architecture.
Developers must now account for “partial blocks” and the dynamics of two-party coordination, highlighting the upgrade’s intricate nature.
Next Steps for the Ethereum Team
Once a stable devnet incorporates all intended features, the Ethereum team will proceed with client releases, undertake final security assessments, transition to testnets, and set a date for the mainnet fork thereafter.
Key Features of Glamsterdam
Key features of Glamsterdam include essential gas repricings, which are being prioritized together, and the enhancement of the maximum contract size through EIP-7954, which the developers aim to highlight during the upgrade process. While the timing for the full Glamsterdam upgrade has not been formally scheduled, it is projected to occur sometime in 2026.
Challenges and Future Upgrades
Moreover, while progress is described as gradual, the Ethereum developers acknowledge the challenges posed by the implementation of ePBS and the necessity to navigate through various complexities associated with non-headliner features such as gas repricing.
Looking ahead, the next upgrade, known as Hegotá, has selected its major feature, FOCIL (EIP-7805), and is also committed to advancing Account Abstraction as part of its additional enhancements.
