Ethereum achieved significant gains in scalability and speed with the Pectra and Fusaka updates implemented in 2025. These steps, which enable layer-2 solutions to work more efficiently, increased data access on the network and reduced node costs. Now all eyes are on 2026. The Ethereum developer team aims to take the network to the next level, both technically and structurally, with the Glamsterdam and Heze-Bogota updates planned for next year. This process is closely monitored not only in terms of technological advances, but also in terms of the ETH price and the overall competitiveness of the ecosystem.
Speed and Efficiency Increase with Glamsterdam Update
The Glamsterdam update, which is expected to go live in mid-2026, is seen as one of Ethereum’s biggest scaling steps to date. At the heart of this update is parallel transaction processing technology. While transactions are largely processed sequentially in the current structure, with the new system Ethereum will be able to process multiple transactions at the same time. This will significantly increase the capacity of the network.
However, a remarkable increase in the gas limit is planned. Increasing the gas limit, which is currently at 60 million, to 200 million will make it possible to include many more transactions in each block. This can reduce network congestion and make transaction fees more predictable. Additionally, the role of validators is changing. Switching to a structure based on zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs) instead of validating full transaction data will increase the overall efficiency of the network by reducing the workload of validators. As a result of all these developments, it is predicted that Ethereum’s transaction capacity per second can theoretically increase from 21 TPS to 10,000 TPS.
Privacy and Censorship Resistance with the Heze-Bogota Update
The Heze-Bogota update, which Ethereum plans for late 2026, focuses on privacy and decentralization rather than speed. The main purpose of this update is to reduce the network’s dependence on central infrastructures and make it difficult for a single authority to block transactions. Increasing censorship resistance, especially in a period when global regulations are tightening, is considered a critical step for Ethereum’s long-term vision.
With Heze-Bogota, it is aimed for Ethereum to have a more open, permission-free structure that prioritizes user privacy. This development could make Ethereum a more attractive platform, especially for DeFi and Web3 projects. In connection with the issue, the increasing institutional interest in spot Ethereum ETFs in the USA recently also draws attention. While ETF discussions show that Ethereum’s integration with traditional finance is accelerating, the technological strengthening of the network stands out as an important factor supporting this interest.
All these developments are also closely monitored on the price front. ETH remains stabilized below the $3,000 level despite rising expectations for 2026 updates. While the $2,800–2,900 band stands out in the short term, technical indicators point to a more optimistic picture for the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026. However, it should not be forgotten that a broader recovery in the overall crypto market is required for a permanent rise.
