The Ethereum network is being developed in small steps as it constantly gets updated and upgraded through changes in the blockchain network.
The subsequent scheduled milestone, known as Glamsterdam, is still being developed as the Ethereum Foundation decided to postpone its anticipated release from June 2026 until the third quarter of that year.
Glamsterdam comes after the release of Fusaka, which was released back in December 2025 and includes execution layer as well as consensus layer upgrades to enhance network processing capabilities and block processing.
Ethereum Glamsterdam Upgrade: Emphasis on Network Capability
The combination of the execution layer and the consensus layer under “Amsterdam” and “Gloas” respectively forms the concept of “Glamsterdam.”
The Foundation mentioned three main goals of the release.
- Process more transactions through parallel execution.
- Boost network capability through the division of block production from block verification.
- Minimize the size increase of the long-term database through revised gas prices.
Parallelization is the strategy implemented in the first goal, where processing becomes possible at the same time for multiple transactions.
In the second goal, there is a reorganization of the processes in block production that will create more room for bigger blocks to propagate throughout the network. For the third goal, the gas cost for storing transactions is revised to fit the hardware requirements for storing blockchain data in the long run.
ePBS Eliminates the Need for Third-Party Middleware
EIP-7732 is one of the core changes in the protocol, in which Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS) is enshrined. Currently, Ethereum’s validators are using third-party middleware, especially MEV-Boost relays, in order to enable communication between block proposers and builders.
Through EIP-7732, the protocol can separate the two through the choice of proposers in choosing consensus blocks and builders constructing execution payloads.
Another aspect, the Payload Timeliness Committee (PTC), is designed to go hand in hand with dual-deadline validation. Validators will not need to broadcast and execute all transactions within approximately two seconds.
Validators have the option to independently verify consensus blocks and execution payloads. The network propagation time increases up to nine seconds for bigger blocks to get distributed on the network. Staking pools will have to undergo architectural upgrades, while the builder selection is enhanced in the protocol.
Block-Level Access Lists Allow Parallel Transactions
At the moment, Ethereum executes transactions sequentially since validators do not know which accounts will be involved in the transaction execution until it begins.
Block-Level Access Lists (BALs) provide the missing part by providing a comprehensive transaction dependency map before execution.
- Non-conflicting transactions can be processed at once.
- Nodes can synchronize using execution results without replaying every transaction.
Each block contains a compact fingerprint referencing the complete access list stored within the execution layer. This approach enables executionless synchronization while laying the foundation for higher Layer 1 throughput.
Increases in Gas Prices Favor Bigger Limits
Another feature of Glamsterdam is the implementation of EIP-8037 that increases the price for transactions that generate state on the blockchain, but leaves computation relatively unaffected.
Based on the information provided by the Ethereum Foundation, the proposal ensures that the costs of storage will reflect the long-term cost of maintaining the hardware for increased storage on the blockchain.
A 200 million gas limit was viewed as a realistic goal by the Foundation after Glamsterdam, in comparison with the present level of about 60 million gas. This goal was not regarded as an ensured launch configuration but rather as a capacity target.
Conclusion
Ethereum Glamsterdam Upgrade is currently in the final stages of testing as a result of a shift in the timeline of the upgrade to Q3 2026. The current focus of development efforts for this protocol is interoperability and implementation before the testnet release.
FAQs
What is the Ethereum Glamsterdam Upgrade?
It is a proposed update for the Ethereum network that includes both execution- and consensus-layer updates to boost capacity and processing of blocks.
Why was Glamsterdam delayed?
The Ethereum Foundation said additional interoperability work and testing across consensus and execution clients delayed the upgrade from June 2026 to Q3 2026.
What is the target gas limit after Glamsterdam?
The Ethereum Foundation identified 200 million gas as a credible post-Glamsterdam target, although it has not committed to introducing that level immediately upon launch.
