What Do We Know About The Ethereum Glamsterdam Upgrade So Far?
The Ethereum Glamsterdam upgrade combines two coordinated changes - Gloas on the consensus layer and Amsterdam on the execution layer - into Ethereum's next major hard fork. It was originally targeted for June 2026, but the Ethereum Foundation has since pushed mainnet activation to Q3 2026 (the second half of the year) after confirming a 200 million gas-limit target. Its headline features are Enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (EIP-7732) and Block-Level Access Lists (EIP-7928).
Ethereum’s roadmap has moved with a steady rhythm over the past few years - from the Merge to the Dencun, Pectra, and Fusaka upgrades. Each Ethereum upgrade pushed scalability, staking, or data efficiency forward.
Now, the spotlight turns to the Ethereum Glamsterdam upgrade, expected in H1 2026. Unlike recent updates that centered on rollups and blob data, this ETH upgrade shifts attention to core protocol fairness and block production efficiency.
Today, I’ll discuss what ETH Glamsterdam is, its core features, and what we know so far about this next phase of Ethereum’s evolution.
Key Learnings
- After the Fusaka upgrade, developers are already looking forward to the Ethereum Glamsterdam - the next major protocol change slated for 2026.
- The ETH Glamsterdam upgrade combines two parallel upgrades across the network’s core layers, aligning execution and consensus changes under one coordinated plan.
- A part of a broader 2026 strategy - the network splits upgrades into two releases - Glamsterdam in early 2026 and Hegota later in the year.
- The full scope of Ethereum Glamsterdam is still under discussion, keeping the Ethereum ecosystem closely engaged in the roadmap ahead.
What is the Ethereum Glamsterdam Upgrade All About?
Ethereum Glamsterdam upgrade introduces coordinated changes across the network’s two core layers. The name blends Gloas, aimed at the consensus layer that manages validators and block finalization, and Amsterdam, focused on the execution layer where transactions and smart contracts run.
The Glamsterdam is structured as a hard fork - so it impacts both the consensus layer and the execution layer. The node operators, validators, exchanges, and wallets will have to update their software before activation.
At the center of ETH Glamsterdam is the Proposer-Builder Separation (EIP-7732), which separates block builders from block proposers at the protocol level. Within the Ethereum ecosystem, this marks a shift back to strengthening the base layer.
At Delta Exchange, we're already tracking Glamsterdam devnets to assess potential market impact for crypto users trading Ethereum futures and options.
Timeline and what to expect in 2026
Though core developers are still finalizing the final scope of the upgrade, here’s what we know so far:
- Q1 2026: Devnet Testing
Client teams are stress-testing bals-devnet-2 and epbs-devnet-0 to check interoperability across major implementations like Geth, Besu, and Prysm ahead of the Ethereum Glamsterdam upgrade.
- Late Q1 or Q2 2026: Scope Freeze
Developers plan to lock the final feature set. If proposals such as ePBS are not ready for cross-client compatibility, they may shift to the later 2026 Ethereum upgrade cycle.
- H1 2026: Mainnet Activation
The Glamsterdam hard fork is currently targeted for May or June 2026, marking the live rollout of Ethereum Glamsterdam on mainnet.
So while devnet progress is underway, it’s more accurate to say that execution-layer testnets are already running and consensus-layer (ePBS) testnets are expected soon.
Core Features in ETH Glamsterdam
- Enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (EIP-7732)
The Ethereum Glamsterdam upgrade brings proposer-builder separation directly into the consensus layer. Instead of relying on external relays and MEV-Boost setups, ETH Glamsterdam formalizes this split at the protocol level.
The result? A more transparent builder market and reduced reliance on intermediaries within the Ethereum ecosystem.
- Block-Level Access Lists (EIP-7928)
Under this Ethereum upgrade, blocks will declare in advance which accounts and storage slots they access. This allows nodes to process non-conflicting transactions in parallel, improving Layer 1 throughput under the Glamsterdam hard fork.
- Censorship resistance proposals - FOCIL
Discussions continue around Fork-choice Enforced Inclusion Lists (FOCIL) that give validators stronger authority to prevent transaction exclusion in a future Ethereum upgrade cycle.
In short, Glamsterdam aims to address long-standing concerns around MEV centralization, validator fairness, execution bottlenecks, gas instability during congestion, and structural inefficiencies at Ethereum’s base layer.
How Glamsterdam Fits in the Bigger Ethereum Roadmap
The Ethereum Glamsterdam upgrade focuses on base-layer mechanics, which quietly shape how developers build and how users experience the ecosystem:
- Layer 2 rollups can post more data at lower L1 costs under Ethereum Glamsterdam.
- Higher gas limits and parallel execution improve base-layer efficiency for the Ethereum ecosystem.
- Cheaper L1 settlement reduces fees for users on the Optimism, Arbitrum, and Base networks.
- Ethereum prioritizes decentralization and validator diversity over raw block speed competition.
- ePBS strengthens censorship resistance within the Glamsterdam hard fork framework.
- Efficiency gains build on earlier blob upgrades, supporting large NFT drops and complex on-chain applications.
- Block-level access lists enable more predictable execution and smoother gas patterns.
- Solo stakers can participate more easily in MEV under this Ethereum upgrade cycle.
For crypto trading, the direct impact remains uncertain. This Ethereum upgrade targets infrastructure, so any trading changes would depend on how improved execution and MEV dynamics play out in live markets. Traders can track how gas costs and network throughput shift once Glamsterdam activates, since these can influence execution timing for ETH perpetual futures and options.
Glamsterdam vs. Pectra vs. Fusaka: How the Upgrades Compare
Each recent Ethereum upgrade has targeted a different bottleneck. Here's how Glamsterdam's focus differs from the two upgrades before it:
What Could Delay or Reshape the Glamsterdam Rollout?
Ethereum Glamsterdam is progressing, yet a few variables could influence timing and scope:
- Enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation is still being refined. If interoperability across clients is unstable, it may be delayed to a later Ethereum upgrade.
- Proposals to significantly raise gas limits are still under active testing, with no final number set.
- Decisions about Hegota, including whether to include changes such as Verkle Trees, may affect how responsibilities are split among upgrades.
- The Glamsterdam hard fork requires synchronized updates from validators, exchanges, and infrastructure providers across the Ethereum ecosystem. If not, this could slow down the adoption pace.
The Bottomline
To wrap up - Ethereum is entering a phase where base-layer decisions will shape its next few years. If execution and MEV reforms land smoothly in 2026, attention will quickly shift to the Hegota upgrade, which is expected to focus on bigger structural changes, such as state storage improvements.
Still, challenges remain. Client coordination, feature readiness, and timeline discipline will test the release strategy. Ethereum Glamsterdam may set the tone, but the real measure will be how cleanly the network delivers upgrades without fragmentation or delays.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the Ethereum Glamsterdam upgrade?
Glamsterdam is Ethereum's next major hard fork, combining the Amsterdam execution-layer upgrade and the Gloas consensus-layer upgrade into a single release. Targeted for the first half of 2026, it is one of Ethereum's most significant protocol changes since The Merge in September 2022.
Q2: When will the Ethereum Glamsterdam upgrade go live?
Glamsterdam is targeted for the first half of 2026, with tentative expectations around mid-2026, though no confirmed mainnet activation date has been announced. Deployment depends on successful testing across multiple client devnets, with ongoing testing cycles continuing into 2026.
Q3: What are the key features of the Glamsterdam upgrade?
Glamsterdam includes EIP-7732 for enshrined proposer-builder separation, EIP-7928 for block-level access lists, and gas repricing proposals such as EIP-7904. Together these aim to improve transaction processing, increase block capacity, and push Ethereum toward higher throughput without changing its fundamental consensus model.
Q4: What is proposer-builder separation (PBS) in Ethereum?
Enshrined proposer-builder separation (ePBS) separates the roles of block proposers and block builders directly within Ethereum's protocol. Today, this process often relies on external relay systems. Integrating PBS into the protocol reduces reliance on third-party infrastructure and improves censorship resistance while making block construction more transparent.
Q5: How will the Glamsterdam upgrade impact Ethereum users and developers?
Users can expect better transaction efficiency and improved scalability as block processing becomes more optimized. Developers gain more predictable execution through block-level access lists, which support parallel transaction handling. ETH traders on Delta Exchange should watch for shifts in gas dynamics and network throughput following the upgrade.
Q6: What challenges could delay the Ethereum Glamsterdam upgrade?
Coordinating multiple independent client teams and successfully testing across both layers is genuinely complex. Implementing ePBS, maintaining cross-client compatibility, and resolving devnet issues are the most realistic delay factors. ETH derivatives traders on Delta Exchange should monitor upgrade timelines, as changes to gas dynamics can affect contract execution.