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- Glamsterdam introduces ePBS and BALs to improve trustlessness and throughput.
- Parallel execution could raise Layer-1 gas limits, reducing user and L2 costs.
- Ethereum’s structured upgrade cadence ensures steady, reliable progress.
As Ethereum moves into 2026, the network has clearly shifted from experimental innovation to industrial-scale stability. Following the successful Pectra and Fusaka upgrades in 2025, Ethereum now operates on a predictable bi-annual “train schedule,” giving developers and Layer-2 ecosystems clarity and consistency. The first major milestone of this new phase is the Glamsterdam upgrade, a hard fork designed to strengthen Ethereum’s core Layer-1 performance while enhancing decentralization and censorship resistance.
What Is the Glamsterdam Upgrade?
Announced at the ACDE 226, Glamsterdam represents Ethereum’s first major upgrade of 2026. It combines two key components: Gloas, the star-inspired consensus improvements, and Amsterdam, the execution layer overhaul. Unlike previous upgrades focused on scaling data availability for Layer-2 solutions, Glamsterdam pivots attention back to Ethereum’s Layer-1. Its primary goals are clear: boost execution efficiency, reduce reliance on trusted relays, and enable parallel transaction processing for the first time.
Key Features Driving Change
1. Enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS – EIP-7732)
Traditionally, Ethereum validators depend on third-party relays, such as MEV-Boost, to source profitable blocks. This introduces centralization risks. ePBS integrates block building directly into the protocol, splitting each 12-second slot into a consensus phase and a reveal phase. A new Payload Timeliness Committee ensures builders reveal blocks on time, removing single points of failure and strengthening the network’s trustless nature.
2. Block-Level Access Lists (BALs – EIP-7928)
Sequential transaction processing has long limited Ethereum’s Layer-1 throughput. BALs solve this by listing all accounts and storage slots a block will access upfront. This enables parallel execution across multiple CPU cores, pre-fetching of data, and higher block gas limits—potentially rising from 60 million to 100 million—reducing costs for users and L2s.
Also Read: Aave and Ethereum Crash — But Charts Hint at Imminent Rebound
Significance and Roadmap Implications
Glamsterdam is more than an incremental update. By tackling both centralization and sequential bottlenecks, it lays the foundation for a Parallel EVM and prepares Ethereum for future stateless clients. Following Glamsterdam, the next upgrade, Hegota, will implement Verkle Trees and may introduce FOCIL to enforce transaction inclusion, further cementing Ethereum’s neutrality and resilience.
With this structured, predictable development cadence, Ethereum demonstrates that it is not only scaling effectively but also future-proofing its network to remain a truly trustless global settlement layer.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
I’m a crypto enthusiast with a background in finance. I’m fascinated by the potential of crypto to disrupt traditional financial systems. I’m always on the lookout for new and innovative projects in the space. I believe that crypto has the potential to create a more equitable and inclusive financial system.
