London, UK – April 10, 2026 – Ethereum, the world’s leading programmable blockchain, is currently undergoing an intense period of core development as it gears up for its next two major network upgrades: Glamsterdam and Hegotá. While the rapid succession of previous upgrades like Pectra and Fusaka sparked optimism for accelerated development cycles, the current "Checkpoint" update reveals that Glamsterdam is proving to be a more formidable challenge, requiring meticulous attention to complex technical implementations. Despite the slower-than-anticipated pace, core developers remain steadfast in their commitment to advancing Ethereum’s capabilities, laying the groundwork for a more scalable, secure, and user-friendly future.
This periodic high-level update, compiled from the extensive discussions held during Ethereum’s All Core Developer (ACD) calls, offers a crucial glimpse into the intricate processes and strategic decisions shaping the network’s evolution. It highlights both the significant progress being made and the inherent difficulties in coordinating global, decentralized development on a system of Ethereum’s scale.
Understanding Ethereum’s Iterative Evolution
Ethereum’s development philosophy is characterized by a continuous, iterative approach to improvement, marked by a series of hard forks or network upgrades. These upgrades are meticulously planned and executed through a highly decentralized, community-driven process, primarily coordinated through the All Core Developer (ACD) calls. These calls bring together client teams, researchers, and protocol engineers to discuss, debate, and decide on the inclusion of Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) – formal design documents for new features or standards.
The "Checkpoint" series serves as a vital communication bridge, distilling the highly technical and often extensive ACD discussions into accessible updates for the broader Ethereum community. This transparency is crucial for stakeholders, from dapp developers and node operators to end-users and investors, to understand the trajectory and timeline of the network.
Glamsterdam: A Deep Dive into the Next Frontier
Glamsterdam, Ethereum’s forthcoming upgrade, is currently in a "slow but steady" implementation phase. The full list of features under consideration and those already scheduled for inclusion can be tracked on Forkcast, a dedicated platform for monitoring Ethereum’s upgrade progress. Features marked as "Scheduled for Inclusion" (SFI) are highly likely to be part of the final upgrade, while "Considered for Inclusion" (CFI) features are strong candidates, their ultimate inclusion dependent on implementation complexity and compatibility with SFI components. The definitions for these staging processes are themselves undergoing refinement to better reflect the dynamic development lifecycle.
The current sentiment suggests that Glamsterdam’s activation in Q2 2026 is becoming increasingly unlikely due to the intricate nature of its proposed changes. However, this cautious approach underscores the developers’ commitment to security and stability over speed.
The Enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS) Challenge
At the heart of Glamsterdam’s complexity lies the implementation of enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS). This monumental change fundamentally alters how blocks are produced on Ethereum. Currently, block production often involves external, off-chain mechanisms (like MEV-Boost) where "builders" construct blocks and "proposers" (validators) select them. ePBS aims to integrate this separation directly into the Ethereum protocol, bringing significant benefits but also introducing unprecedented engineering challenges.
The rationale behind ePBS is multifaceted: it seeks to mitigate the negative externalities of Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) – the profit validators and block producers can extract by ordering, censoring, or inserting transactions within blocks. By separating the roles of proposer and builder within the protocol, ePBS aims to decentralize block production, enhance network censorship resistance, and create a more equitable distribution of MEV.
However, enshrining this separation within the consensus layer means the protocol must now account for potential disagreements or failures between the two parties. This introduces the concept of "partial blocks" and requires every layer of the Ethereum stack – from consensus clients to execution clients – to reason about two-party coordination. This fundamental shift touches virtually every aspect of the protocol, demanding a complete rethinking of existing structures and rigorous testing to ensure robustness and prevent new attack vectors. The sheer scale of this re-architecture is the primary driver behind Glamsterdam’s deliberate pace.
Optimizing Efficiency: Gas Repricing and Contract Size Expansion
Beyond ePBS, Glamsterdam is set to introduce several gas repricings, largely bundled together. These repricings are not merely about adjusting transaction costs; they are designed to optimize the network’s resource utilization, better reflecting the actual computational and storage costs of various operations. By more accurately pricing gas, the network can encourage more efficient smart contract design and deter resource-intensive or spam transactions, ultimately leading to a more stable and predictable fee market. This work is also crucial for enabling safer, higher gas limits in the future.
Another significant feature gaining traction is EIP-7954, an increase to the maximum contract size. This EIP has seen "constructively vocal" support from ecosystem developers, who recognize its importance for deploying more complex and feature-rich decentralized applications (dApps). As dApps become more sophisticated, they often require larger contract codebases, and lifting this constraint will unlock new possibilities for innovation on Ethereum. The strong community backing for EIP-7954 makes its prioritization highly likely.
Revolutionizing State Access: Block-level Access Lists (BALs)
On the execution layer side, Block-level Access Lists (BALs), proposed under EIP-7928, represent another fundamental rethinking of how gas and state access operate within Ethereum. BALs aim to improve the efficiency of transaction processing by providing a mechanism for transactions to declare the parts of the state they intend to access. This information can then be used by clients to optimize execution, potentially reducing gas costs and improving overall throughput. The development of BALs on dedicated devnets is making predictable progress, tackling the expected difficulties associated with such a profound change to the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).
The Road to Mainnet: Devnet Progression and Milestones
The development teams are currently aiming for the launch of the first generalized Glamsterdam devnet in the coming weeks, contingent on the stabilization of the ongoing ePBS devnet. This initial devnet will serve as a crucial testing ground, allowing client developers to integrate and test the core Glamsterdam features in a simulated environment. Following this, there will be several iterations of devnets, progressively incorporating more and more of the non-headliner features.
Once a stable devnet, complete with all intended features, is achieved, client teams will cut official releases. This will be followed by final security reviews and a migration to public testnets, where the broader community, including dapp developers and infrastructure providers, can test their applications against the new protocol rules. Only after these testnets are confirmed stable and robust will the mainnet fork date for Glamsterdam be officially announced, marking a significant milestone in Ethereum’s journey.
Hegotá: Glimpses into Ethereum’s Future
Following Glamsterdam, the next planned upgrade is Hegotá, and the selection process for its major features has already concluded, offering a forward-looking perspective on Ethereum’s strategic priorities.
FOCIL: A Consensus Layer Landmark
FOCIL (EIP-7805) has been selected as the consensus layer headliner for Hegotá. While the specific technical details of FOCIL are not elaborated upon in this update, its designation as a "headliner" signifies its profound importance for the underlying consensus mechanism of Ethereum. Consensus layer upgrades are critical for maintaining the network’s security, efficiency, and decentralization, often involving improvements to the Proof-of-Stake algorithm, validator incentives, or finality guarantees. The selection of FOCIL indicates a strategic focus on further strengthening the foundational integrity of the Ethereum blockchain.
The Account Abstraction Conundrum
The execution layer discussions for Hegotá saw a "heated debate" around Account Abstraction (AA), specifically EIP-8141, known as "Frame transactions." Account Abstraction is a long-sought-after feature that aims to revolutionize user experience on Ethereum by allowing smart contracts to act as user accounts. This would enable features like multi-factor authentication, gas payment in ERC-20 tokens, batch transactions, and flexible recovery mechanisms, making Ethereum significantly more user-friendly and secure for mainstream adoption.
Despite its clear benefits and widespread community desire, a lack of consensus among client developers regarding specific implementation choices led to EIP-8141 being moved to a "Considered for Inclusion" (CFI) status as a non-headliner. This doesn’t mean AA is off the table; rather, it represents a placeholder commitment to continue working on an Account Abstraction proposal that can garner broader support and ensure robust, secure implementation. The community’s participation in this process will be crucial in shaping the final form of AA for a future upgrade.
Guarding Against Tomorrow: The Quantum Resistance Imperative
There is also "increasing interest in prioritizing quantum resistance" within the Ethereum development community. The looming threat of quantum computing, which could potentially break current cryptographic primitives, makes it imperative for blockchains to explore and implement quantum-resistant solutions. While no standalone proposal for quantum resistance has yet been introduced, its inclusion as part of broader account abstraction packages signals a growing awareness and proactive approach to future-proofing Ethereum’s security.
Community Engagement: Proposing Non-Headliner Features
Starting April 9th, the door opened for anyone to propose non-headlining features for Hegotá. This democratic process allows for broader community input, enabling innovators and researchers to contribute directly to Ethereum’s future. Proposals can be submitted by pulling the EIP into the "Proposed for Inclusion" section of the upgrade’s meta EIP. The closing date for submissions will be announced at least two weeks in advance, and the most up-to-date information on the Hegotá process and timeline can always be found on its dedicated Forkcast page.
The overall timeline for Hegotá remains highly dependent on Glamsterdam’s progress over the next few months. Should Glamsterdam face further delays, it would inevitably push back Hegotá. However, the selection of a single headliner for Hegotá, combined with the flexible non-headliner process, suggests that it could follow Glamsterdam in a shorter timeframe than Glamsterdam followed its predecessor, Fusaka.
Enhancing Network Capacity: The Gas Limit Expansion
Alongside specific upgrade features, core developers are continuously testing increases to Ethereum’s gas limit on devnets. The current target for the baseline gas limit is 60 million gas per block, a significant increase from the current limit. However, testing is ongoing at much higher limits to thoroughly understand the implications of increased block size on network decentralization, node resource requirements, and overall performance.
The gas repricing work being implemented in Glamsterdam is intrinsically linked to these gas limit discussions. By accurately reflecting resource costs, these repricings are designed to enable higher, safer gas limits without unduly burdening network nodes or compromising network stability. A higher gas limit translates directly to increased transaction throughput, allowing the network to process more operations per second and potentially reducing transaction fees during periods of high demand. This ongoing research and testing are vital for Ethereum’s long-term scalability vision.
Empowering Innovators: The EIP Champion’s Handbook
In an effort to streamline and democratize the proposal process, the Protocol Support team has published new resources on their website: the EIP Champion’s Handbook. This invaluable guide is designed to assist authors and advocates in championing their feature proposals and effectively seeking stakeholder feedback throughout the EIP lifecycle. For anyone interested in contributing to an Ethereum upgrade, this handbook provides a clear roadmap to navigate the often-complex process of getting an EIP from concept to mainnet. This initiative underscores Ethereum’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, open-source development ecosystem.
Broader Implications and Outlook
The current state of Ethereum’s development reflects a mature, yet still highly dynamic, ecosystem. The "quickness to follow Pectra" by Fusaka had indeed driven excitement for faster fork cycles, but Glamsterdam’s inherent complexities, particularly with ePBS, have recalibrated expectations. This slower, more methodical approach, however, is not met with "disheartenment" among client developers. Instead, it highlights their professional resilience and unwavering dedication to building a robust and secure foundation for the decentralized future.
The selection of a single headliner for Hegotá, FOCIL, combined with a flexible process for non-headliner EIPs, indicates a strategic effort to balance ambitious protocol upgrades with practical implementation timelines. While Account Abstraction remains a highly desired feature that could still be promoted to a headliner if a broadly supported proposal emerges, its current status allows for focused development on critical consensus layer improvements.
Furthermore, the "strawmap," an unofficial but widely referenced community-driven roadmap published this year, has "reignited enthusiasm" for a guiding vision. While not an "official Ethereum roadmap," its role in helping the community agree on priorities and inform feature choices during the upgrade process has proven to be beneficial, providing a collective north star for the decentralized development efforts.
Ultimately, these ongoing upgrades—Glamsterdam, Hegotá, and the continuous work on gas limits and EIP processes—are not merely technical adjustments. They are fundamental steps towards realizing Ethereum’s long-term vision: a global, decentralized, and scalable platform capable of supporting the next generation of internet applications. The journey is complex, but the dedication of its core developers and the vibrant community continues to push the boundaries of what is possible on the blockchain.
Relevant ACD Calls:
[ January 21st – April 9th ]
- ACDT (All Core Devs – Testing): 76, 75, 74, 73, 72, 71, 70, 69, 68, 67
- ACDC (All Core Devs – Consensus): 176, 175, 174, 173
- ACDE (All Core Devs – Execution): 234, 233, 232, 231, 230, 229