Ethereum's highly anticipated Glamsterdam upgrade has entered its final development phase, with developers preparing for a late 2026 testnet deployment that promises to dramatically improve network scalability.
Key proposed features include block-level access lists enabling faster syncing and parallel execution, plus discussions around raising gas limits to 200 million per block. These changes aim to increase L1 settlement capacity significantly to support continued Layer 2 rollup growth.
The upgrade follows Fusaka (December 2025) which dramatically lowered L2 fees via proto-danksharding. Ethereum has relied heavily on Layer 2 solutions for scaling, with rollup networks multiplying effective capacity by roughly 17x in some contexts.
Development has advanced to multiple client testnets, with the original H1 target shifting to Q3 due to testing timelines. The community is focused on ensuring smooth execution while maintaining the decentralized ethos of the network.
Beyond Glamsterdam, the roadmap includes Hegotá later in 2026, targeting Verkle trees for smaller proofs and reduced storage requirements. Together, these upgrades represent Ethereum's most ambitious scaling push since the Merge.
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