Key Highlights
- Ethereum plans to activate the Glamsterdam hard fork in Q3 2026 with a focus on improving Layer 1 performance and scalability.
- EIP-7732 will introduce Enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS), moving block-building functions on-chain and reducing reliance on external MEV relays.
- EIP-7928 adds block-level access lists, enabling parallel transaction execution and potentially supporting significantly larger blocks.
Ethereum is preparing for one of its network upgrades, with the Glamsterdam hard fork scheduled for the third quarter of 2026. The upcoming upgrade focuses on strengthening the Layer 1 protocol through enhanced block production efficiency, increased transaction capacity, and improved execution performance.
According to the official announcement shared by Everstake on X, the two headline proposals in Glamsterdam are EIP-7732 and EIP-7928. EIP-7732 introduces Enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS), bringing the current off-chain block building process on-chain. Currently, over 88% of Ethereum blocks are constructed through MEV-Boost relays that operate on a trust-based system without on-chain identity or protocol-level enforcement.
Under the new system, builders will submit cryptographically signed bids with in-protocol identities and committed payments. This shift aims to reduce reliance on external relays and give the Ethereum protocol greater control over block production.
The second proposal, EIP-7928, introduces block-level access lists. Today, Ethereum nodes execute transactions sequentially because they cannot predict which parts of the state a block will access until execution begins.
Introduction of a new validator
The announcement notes block-level access lists solve this by providing a complete map of all accounts and storage slots a block will touch before execution starts. This change is expected to enable parallel processing across CPU cores, paving the way for significantly larger blocks, potentially up to 200 million gas per block.
Glamsterdam also introduces the Payload Timeliness Committee, a new validator responsibility where stakers periodically attest to the timely delivery of block payloads. All validators, including solo stakers and staking operators, will need to update both their Consensus Layer (CL) and Execution Layer (EL) clients ahead of the activation.
Infrastructure providers such as Everstake have confirmed they will roll out necessary client updates and keep stakers informed throughout the process.
Exclusion from the Glamsterdam upgrade
Notably, two anticipated features were excluded from the Glamsterdam upgrade. The proposal for 6-second slots (EIP-7782) was removed due to potential conflicts with ZK proving timelines. Additionally, FOCIL, a mechanism designed to enhance censorship resistance, was deferred to the next upgrade, Hegotá, to avoid untested interactions with ePBS at mainnet scale.
These decisions underscore Ethereum’s cautious and disciplined approach to network upgrades. The Hegotá hard fork is currently eyed for late 2026 or early 2027, with FOCIL as its confirmed centerpiece. Longer-term discussions continue around Verkle Trees and 2D PeerDAS, while the broader roadmap ultimately points toward full ZK-EVM verification at the Layer 1 level, allowing Ethereum to verify its own execution using zero-knowledge proofs.
Shift in Ethereum’s core layer
Glamsterdam represents a clear shift in focus back toward strengthening Ethereum’s core Layer 1 infrastructure after years of heavy emphasis on Layer 2 development. If successfully implemented, the upgrade is anticipated to mark a step forward in improving the network’s scalability, security, and decentralization.
The Ethereum community and node operators now have several months to prepare for the changes.
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