Ethereum Schedules Glamsterdam Upgrade for Hoodi Testnet Launch
The upcoming upgrade introduces ePBS and BAL mechanisms to optimize L1 blockchain throughput.
1Hoodi Testnet Launch Details
The Ethereum Foundation has scheduled the Glamsterdam upgrade for the Hoodi testnet on October 26, 2026. This deployment will occur at epoch 132,352 and slot 4,235,264. A critical component of this test is increasing the network gas limit to 200 million, mirroring recent successful adjustments previously observed during the Sepolia testnet activation.
2Core Architectural Changes
Glamsterdam integrates execution-layer Amsterdam changes with consensus-layer Gloas updates. The upgrade introduces ePBS, defined in EIP-7732, which decouples block proposal from block building roles. This mechanism reduces reliance on trusted intermediaries and provides validators with extended timeframes for transaction execution verification, significantly altering the current block production lifecycle within the Ethereum protocol.
3Parallel Processing via BAL
The upgrade implements Block Access Lists, or BAL, as outlined in EIP-7928. By recording account and storage access during block processing, this feature enables clients to perform parallel data reading and transaction verification. This architectural shift allows for more efficient computation of state roots, directly addressing existing bottlenecks in block processing performance.
4Gas Calculation Adjustments
New rules for gas calculation are central to the Glamsterdam update. EIP-8037 increases the cost associated with state creation, while EIP-8038 updates expenses related to state access. These modifications aim to reflect resource usage and blockchain state growth more accurately, necessitating a review of existing smart contract gas consumption patterns by developers.
5Lessons from Sepolia Testing
Previous testing on the Sepolia network revealed a significant vulnerability within the block auction system. The flaw allowed malicious actors to outbid legitimate participants and subsequently withhold transactions after winning the auction. Developers are currently addressing these security concerns to ensure the robustness of the ePBS mechanism before any mainnet integration occurs.
6Requirements for Node Operators
Node operators and validators on the Hoodi network must update their execution and consensus layer clients to compatible versions before the October launch. Validators are specifically required to verify their infrastructure against new block creation processes and ensure that all third-party tools remain compatible with the updated protocol requirements and specifications.
7Impact on DApp Developers
Application developers are advised to test their smart contracts on the updated Sepolia and Hoodi environments immediately. Projects relying on fixed gas limits or specific assumptions regarding gas residuals may face operational failures. Adjusting code to accommodate the new gas accounting rules is essential to maintain functionality after the protocol upgrade.
8Mainnet Roadmap Implications
While the Hoodi testnet launch is set for October 2026, the activation date for the Ethereum mainnet remains officially undetermined. This upgrade is part of a broader roadmap extending through 2029. Current mainnet users and asset holders are not required to take any action, as these changes are strictly limited to testnet environments.
Original article: INCRYPTED — Ethereum Schedules Glamsterdam Upgrade for Hoodi Testnet Launch