Ethereum developers have scheduled the network’s next major upgrade, Glamsterdam, to activate on the Sepolia testnet on Oct. 6. The Ethereum Foundation stated that Sepolia node operators must update both their execution-layer and consensus-layer clients before this activation. One of the key changes in Glamsterdam is enshrined proposer-builder separation, which moves the handoff between specialized block builders and validators into Ethereum’s protocol to reduce reliance on outside middleware.
The upgrade also introduces block-level access lists that record accounts and storage locations used during each block. Additionally, gas pricing will change to better reflect the cost of creating and accessing data on Ethereum. The foundation noted that contracts relying on fixed gas stipends or hardcoded gas limits may require changes. Developers have not set dates for rollout on the validator-focused testnet Hoodi or on mainnet. They are targeting 2027 for Hegotá, the upgrade expected to follow Glamsterdam. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said Sunday that Hegotá could be the network’s last “normal” fork before development shifts toward recursive STARKs, automated formal verification, optimized consensus and quantum-safe cryptography.
The scheduling of Glamsterdam on Sepolia marks a critical step in Ethereum's roadmap toward deeper protocol integration. By enshrining proposer-builder separation directly into the protocol, the network aims to mitigate risks associated with external middleware dependencies. This structural change seeks to stabilize the relationship between block builders and validators, potentially reducing operational friction and enhancing censorship resistance at the consensus layer. The introduction of block-level access lists further refines state management, offering more transparent tracking of account interactions within blocks.
Adjustments to gas pricing mechanisms present immediate compliance considerations for smart contract developers. Contracts dependent on fixed gas stipends or hardcoded limits face potential breakage, necessitating audits and updates prior to mainnet deployment. While specific dates for Hoodi and mainnet remain unset, the focus on preparing for Hegotá in 2027 signals a long-term strategic pivot. Vitalik Buterin’s indication that Hegotá may be the final conventional fork underscores an impending transition toward advanced cryptographic standards, including quantum-safe infrastructure and automated formal verification.
