The Ethereum core development community is navigating a complex landscape of upcoming network upgrades, with the "Glamsterdam" upgrade experiencing slower-than-anticipated progress due to the intricate nature of its flagship feature, enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS). Meanwhile, the subsequent upgrade, "Hegotā," has solidified its primary technical direction, setting the stage for future enhancements. This comprehensive update delves into the current status of these critical developments, offering context, timeline insights, and an analysis of their implications for the Ethereum ecosystem.
Glamsterdam: A Slow but Steady March Forward
The journey towards the Glamsterdam upgrade, the next significant network enhancement for Ethereum, is characterized by diligent work and the gradual overcoming of technical challenges. While the initial enthusiasm for rapid forks following the Fusaka upgrade was palpable, Glamsterdam’s implementation has proven to be more demanding. The core of these complexities lies in the integration of enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS), a fundamental shift in how block production is managed on the Ethereum network.
ePBS aims to architecturally separate the roles of block proposers and block builders. Currently, these functions are largely handled outside the protocol by specialized entities. By enshrining these roles within the consensus layer, Ethereum seeks to enhance decentralization, security, and economic efficiency. However, this transition necessitates a deep re-evaluation of how the network handles disagreements and potential failures between these newly distinct parties. Every layer of the Ethereum stack must now be equipped to reason about "partial blocks" and the coordination dynamics between two independent entities. This architectural overhaul touches upon virtually every aspect of the protocol, from consensus mechanisms to execution layer operations.
On the execution layer, a critical component of Glamsterdam is the implementation of Block-level Access Lists (BALs). This initiative represents a significant departure from the current model of state and gas access. BALs are designed to provide a more granular and efficient way for smart contracts to interact with the Ethereum state, potentially leading to reduced gas costs for certain operations and improved network throughput. The ongoing development and testing of BAL devnets are demonstrating steady progress through these anticipated complexities.
The current target for the first generalized Glamsterdam devnet is the upcoming week, contingent on the stabilization of the ePBS devnet. Following this milestone, developers plan to iterate through several devnets, progressively incorporating more of the non-headliner features. Once a stable devnet encompassing all slated features is achieved, the focus will shift to client releases, rigorous security reviews, deployment on testnets, and ultimately, the announcement of the mainnet fork date.
Beyond ePBS, Glamsterdam’s feature set includes several gas repricing initiatives, largely being bundled for implementation. These changes aim to optimize gas costs, making transactions more economical and the network more competitive. Additionally, there has been significant community advocacy for EIP-7954, which proposes an increase to the maximum contract size. The constructive feedback from ecosystem developers highlights the importance of this EIP, making its inclusion in Glamsterdam increasingly probable.
Hegotā: FOCIL Selected as Headliner, Account Abstraction on the Horizon
Looking beyond Glamsterdam, the Ethereum development community has already charted a course for the subsequent upgrade, tentatively named "Hegotā." The selection process for its major feature has concluded, with FOCIL (Forward-Compatible Transaction Layer), formally EIP-7805, being chosen as the consensus layer headliner. This selection signifies a commitment to a specific direction for future transaction processing enhancements.
The execution layer, however, experienced a more protracted and debated decision-making process. A significant discussion revolved around an Account Abstraction proposal, EIP-8141 (Frame transactions). While the concept of Account Abstraction, which aims to provide users with more flexible and powerful account management capabilities akin to smart contracts, garnered considerable interest, a lack of consensus on specific implementation details led to its classification as a "Considered for Inclusion" (CFI) feature. This designation represents a commitment to further develop and refine Account Abstraction proposals, with the goal of integrating a version that achieves broader support among client developers and the wider community.
The decision to defer a definitive Account Abstraction headliner for Hegotā, while disappointing for some proponents, reflects the rigorous and consensus-driven nature of Ethereum’s upgrade process. The emphasis on community buy-in and robust implementation is a hallmark of Ethereum’s long-term stability and evolution. The community’s growing interest in quantum resistance has also been noted, though no standalone proposals have yet emerged. Instead, quantum resistance is being considered as a component within broader proposals, such as those related to Account Abstraction.
The window for proposing non-headlining features for Hegotā opened on April 9th. Developers and stakeholders can submit their proposals by integrating their respective EIPs into the "Proposed for Inclusion" section of the upgrade’s meta EIP, EIP-8081. The exact timeline for this submission period will be communicated with at least two weeks’ notice. Comprehensive and up-to-date information regarding the Hegotā process and its evolving timeline is readily available on its dedicated Forkcast page.
The launch date for the Hegotā upgrade is intrinsically linked to the progress and successful deployment of Glamsterdam. A smooth and timely completion of Glamsterdam will undoubtedly accelerate the timeline for Hegotā, fostering a sense of momentum in Ethereum’s upgrade cycle.
Gas Limits on the Rise: Paving the Way for Enhanced Throughput
A persistent area of development across upcoming upgrades is the increase of gas limits. Significant progress is being made in testing higher gas limits on devnets, with the overarching objective of enabling substantially higher block gas limits in both Glamsterdam and subsequent upgrades. The current target for the baseline gas limit in Glamsterdam is 60 million gas. However, ongoing testing at considerably higher limits is crucial for understanding the full implications, identifying potential bottlenecks, and implementing necessary optimizations. The gas repricing work being integrated into Glamsterdam is foundational to safely supporting these higher gas limits, promising a more scalable and cost-effective Ethereum for all users.
EIP Champion’s Handbook: Empowering Feature Development
Recognizing the critical role of community-driven proposals in shaping Ethereum’s future, the Protocol Support team has launched new resources to aid authors and advocates in championing feature proposals. The newly published EIP Champion’s Handbook, available on the Protocol Support team’s website, provides comprehensive guidance on navigating the process of getting features included in Ethereum upgrades. This initiative aims to streamline the proposal lifecycle, foster greater stakeholder engagement, and ensure that the most impactful and well-vetted EIPs are prioritized.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The current trajectory of Ethereum’s core development highlights a maturation of its upgrade process. While the complexity of implementing features like ePBS has introduced a more deliberate pace for Glamsterdam, it underscores a commitment to thoroughness and robustness. The success of Glamsterdam, particularly in its integration of ePBS and BALs, will have far-reaching implications for network security, decentralization, and efficiency.
The strategic selection of FOCIL for Hegotā, coupled with the ongoing efforts to advance Account Abstraction, signals a forward-looking approach to enhancing user experience and protocol capabilities. The flexibility of the upgrade process, allowing for the eventual inclusion of a widely supported Account Abstraction solution, demonstrates Ethereum’s adaptability.
The recent publication of the "strawmap" has also played a vital role in reigniting community enthusiasm and providing a guiding framework for feature prioritization during upgrade planning. While not an official roadmap, this collaborative document serves as a valuable tool for aligning community expectations and informing future technical decisions.
The perceived slowdown of Glamsterdam compared to the rapid pace seen after Fusaka should not be interpreted as a lack of progress, but rather as an indication of the increasing sophistication and interconnectedness of the features being integrated. The technical challenges are significant, but the client development teams appear undeterred, demonstrating a sustained dedication to advancing the Ethereum protocol.
While a Glamsterdam launch in Q2 may be ambitious, the clarity on Hegotā’s headliner, combined with a potentially streamlined non-headliner selection process, could lead to a more condensed timeline between these upgrades. The possibility of a community-backed Account Abstraction proposal gaining headliner status for Hegotā remains a key development to watch, as it would represent a significant leap forward in user-centric design for the Ethereum network.
Relevant All Core Developer (ACD) Calls and Resources
The All Core Developers (ACD) calls serve as the central forum for discussing and coordinating these intricate upgrades. The period between January 21st and April 9th saw extensive discussions across various ACD call series, including:
- ACDT (All Core Devs – Technical): Calls 76 through 67 provided deep dives into technical specifications and implementation details.
- ACDC (All Core Devs – Consensus): Calls 176 through 173 focused on consensus layer changes and their implications.
- ACDE (All Core Devs – Execution): Calls 234 through 229 addressed execution layer challenges and feature integration.
These discussions, along with detailed documentation on Forkcast, provide a transparent view into the ongoing efforts to refine and evolve the Ethereum protocol. The continued engagement and collaboration within these forums are essential for the successful deployment of future upgrades.