The Ethereum Foundation (EF) Protocol cluster has officially published its comprehensive tier list for the upcoming Hegot network upgrade, marking a significant shift in how the organization evaluates and prioritizes Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs). This release represents the first time the cluster—a collective of approximately 60 researchers and engineers—has presented a unified perspective on the development roadmap, moving away from fragmented, team-specific opinions. While individual execution layer (EL) clients like Geth retain the autonomy to ship their own independent assessments, the new document serves as a central data point for the broader Ethereum ecosystem. The evaluation encompasses 62 distinct EIPs, categorized by their technical merit, readiness, and alignment with the current long-term strategic goals of the protocol.
The classification process was rigorous, involving 16 distinct contribution templates from nine internal teams and various domain experts. This culminated in 397 individual tier grades, providing an average of 6.4 independent reviews per proposal. The methodology for this tiering was refined through lessons learned from the previous "Glamsterdam" upgrade, specifically regarding the dangers of underestimating the complexity of integration and the scarcity of testing resources. The resulting list is a "steelman" argument for each proposal, debated and finalized during a series of working sessions held throughout late August 2026.
The Scoring Framework and Strategic Alignment
To ensure transparency, the EF Protocol cluster utilized a standardized scoring system where S-tier equals 4 points, A-tier 3, B-tier 2, C-tier 1, and D/DFI (Declined for Inclusion) 0 points. A critical distinction of this process is that abstentions do not penalize a proposal, and the final tier assigned represents a consensus-driven outcome rather than a simple mathematical average.
The priorities dictating these scores are detailed in the companion document, "EF Protocol: Current and Emerging Priorities," which outlines the "north star" for the protocol. The cluster emphasizes that the value of this exercise lies not just in selecting features for implementation, but in the disciplined refusal of proposals that do not meet the strict necessity or security standards required for a major upgrade.
Key Highlights: Consensus and Execution Layers
The Hegot upgrade is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for Ethereum’s architecture. At the forefront of the consensus layer is EIP-7805 (FOCIL), which has been granted an S-tier designation. FOCIL aims to provide a robust path for users to include eligible transactions without relying on centralized builders, addressing one of the primary concerns regarding censorship resistance. Alongside it, EIP-8369 (VOPS Profiles for FOCIL Eligibility) is positioned in the A-tier, ensuring that FOCIL’s inclusion guarantees extend effectively to Frames.
On the execution layer, EIP-8141 (Frame Transactions) has emerged as the clear headliner, also receiving an S-tier grade. This proposal introduces native account abstraction on security grounds, facilitating a transition to post-quantum (PQ) signature schemes without the need for a fork for every individual scheme. By enabling aggregation, Frame Transactions allow PQ verification to be priced more efficiently and provide a definitive route to retiring legacy k1 cryptographic keys.
Other notable A-tier inclusions involve significant cleanup and efficiency measures. EIP-3298, which focuses on the removal of refunds, is intended to eliminate a class of metering edge cases that have historically complicated the protocol. Similarly, EIP-5920 introduces the PAY opcode, a low-surface, high-leverage feature that resolves long-standing issues surrounding value transfer without the need to invoke recipient code.
The Discipline of Rejection: Managing Technical Debt
A substantial portion of the 62 evaluated proposals—28 in total—have been declined for inclusion in the Hegot upgrade. This high rate of rejection reflects a deliberate effort to keep the protocol’s scope manageable and to minimize the "blast radius" of the changes being implemented.
For instance, EIP-8142 (Block-in-Blobs) was unanimously declined, as the cluster concluded that it deepens the protocol’s dependence on KZG structures, conflicting with the long-term roadmap toward "J*" (an experimental architectural path). Likewise, several staking-related features, such as EIP-8148 and EIP-8205, were deemed to serve operational convenience for large entities rather than addressing fundamental protocol necessities, failing the strict bar for inclusion.
The cluster’s approach to EIP-7716 (Anti-Correlation Attestation Penalties) illustrates the caution exercised regarding complex reward and penalty changes. While the proposal is viewed as a sound concept, it was ultimately moved to the DFI (Declined for Inclusion) category for this cycle. The team noted that its impact on the staker landscape, particularly regarding multi-client setups and potential centralization forces, requires significantly more research before it can be safely integrated into the mainnet.
Chronology and the Path to Deployment
The evaluation process for Hegot began in earnest following the conclusion of the Glamsterdam upgrade. The Protocol cluster identified that "complexity compounds," a realization that heavily influenced the current tiering. By early September 2026, the team had processed all 62 EIPs through multiple group calls and a 90-minute intensive working session aimed at resolving contested items.
The next phase of the upgrade lifecycle involves a public engagement process. To facilitate community feedback, the EF is hosting a Reddit AMA on September 16, 2026. This session is specifically designed to allow proponents of B-tier, C-tier, and declined EIPs to present their arguments and challenge the cluster’s assessments. By centralizing this feedback loop, the EF aims to refine the final list of inclusions before the formal specification phase is locked.
Implications for the Broader Ecosystem
The publication of this tier list provides a high-signal indicator of the direction in which Ethereum is heading. By grouping proposals into thematic categories such as "Cleanup & Deprecations," "AA & Delegation," and "DA & Proofs," the cluster is providing developers and node operators with a roadmap of what to expect in terms of protocol maintenance and future capabilities.
The emphasis on "Frames" as a core pillar of the Hegot upgrade suggests that the Ethereum Foundation is prioritizing account abstraction and user-centric security as the next frontier for the network. The inclusion of proposals that facilitate this transition, such as EIP-8250 (Keyed Nonces) and EIP-8272 (Recent Roots), underscores the intent to build a more flexible, scalable environment that does not compromise on decentralization.
Furthermore, the "TBD" category, which includes EIP-8368 and EIP-8372, highlights the reliance on real-world data from the post-Glamsterdam environment. By refusing to commit to changes that rely on speculative gas limit adjustments, the cluster is demonstrating a data-driven approach to protocol governance.
Conclusion
The Hegot tier list serves as more than just a summary of proposed changes; it is a manifestation of the current governance culture within the Ethereum Foundation. By opting for a unified view, the Protocol cluster has increased the predictability of the upgrade path for infrastructure providers and dApp developers. Success in this cycle, according to the cluster, will not be measured by the sheer volume of changes, but by the strategic selection of upgrades that strengthen the core while pruning unnecessary complexity. As the ecosystem prepares for the upcoming AMA, the focus remains on ensuring that every included proposal contributes to a more resilient and performant Ethereum, while maintaining the rigorous security standards that the network’s participants have come to expect.
The final, definitive list and the supporting technical documentation are available for public review through the EF’s official channels and the Forkcast platform, providing an transparent view into the complex, often arduous, task of shepherding the world’s largest decentralized computing platform through its next evolution.
