Ethereum developers have clarified the roadmap for the Glamsterdam hard fork, which is planned to be implemented in the second half of 2026. The update seems likely to be one of the most significant changes made to the base layer of the network after The Merge. The focus of the work is to increase Ethereum’s Layer 1 capacity and make the network more efficient for validators, developers and decentralized applications.
The main focus of the update is the block verification process
Ethereum Foundation states that what differentiates Glamsterdam from previous updates is its emphasis on the block verification process. The technical preparations carried out in this context include significant changes in the execution and consensus layers. Crypto analyst Crypto With Gopal also points out that the network is moving towards the next phase of scaling.
Major planned changes include EIP 7732, called Enshrined Proposer Builder Separation, and EIP 7928, called Block Level Access Lists.
Mini dictionary: Hard fork refers to a comprehensive protocol change in the blockchain with limited backward compatibility. EIP stands for Ethereum Improvement Proposal and provides standard discussion of proposed technical changes on the network.
EIP 7732 and EIP 7928 stand out
EIP 7732 aims to separate the block creation and block verification processes. This structure is expected to increase efficiency and reduce dependence on third-party block creators by allowing validators to take a more active role in block production at the protocol level.
EIP 7928 envisages making access lists mandatory at the block level. It is evaluated that thanks to this change, parallel processing of transactions may be accelerated and gas fees may decrease. Gas fee refers to the basic transaction cost paid to perform transactions or run smart contracts on the Ethereum network.
Ethereum Foundation states that Glamsterdam aims to increase Layer 1 capacity and make the network more convenient for validators, developers and decentralized applications.
The new EIP package is preparing for the devnet phase
The developers plan to implement 10 new EIPs in the next devnet release. Among the proposals that received approval are EIP 7708, which defines the structure of ETH transfer records, and EIP 7954, which increases the smart contract size from 24 KiB to 64 KiB.
In addition, there are various improvements in the areas of gas measurement, call data, command sets and status management. On the other hand, 15 more EIPs are in the evaluation process on gas fees, validator structure, networking and staking. There is a possibility that EIP 7904 will not be accepted.
| Title | Situation | Featured effect |
| EIP 7732 | planned | Separating block creation and verification |
| EIP 7928 | planned | Increasing parallel processing speed, reducing costs |
| EIP 7708 | Approved | Defining the structure of ETH transfer records |
| EIP 7954 | Approved | Increasing smart contract size from 24 KiB to 64 KiB |
Potential impacts for developers, validators, and users
The roadmap shows that the Ethereum infrastructure is evolving to accommodate the increasing pace of usage and application development. The planned adjustments could simplify the app production process and reduce costs for developers. Faster block production for validators and a more balanced fee structure for users are among the possible outcomes.
Glamsterdam touts the goal of greater efficiency and scalability in Ethereum’s underlying infrastructure, while hinting at development plans that extend beyond the post-The Merge period.
Although it will be more than a year before the update is implemented, the current road map reveals which technical priorities Ethereum will focus on in the coming period. In particular, the planned changes to the block verification structure are at the heart of the network’s long-term scaling strategy.
