Ethereum developers are wasting no time after the successful Fusaka upgrade, which recently reduced node operating costs and improved overall efficiency. The community is already looking ahead to the next major protocol change, code-named Glamsterdam, a combined upgrade that targets both of Ethereum’s core layers and is expected to roll out in 2026.
The name “Glamsterdam” is a blend of two parallel upgrades. On Ethereum’s execution layer, where smart contracts and transaction logic run, developers are planning the Amsterdam upgrade. At the same time, the consensus layer, responsible for validator coordination and block finalization, will receive an update known as Gloas. Together, these changes aim to strengthen decentralization, reduce manipulation risks, and improve performance across the network.
One of the most significant proposals included in Glamsterdam is enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS), tracked as EIP-7732. This proposal would integrate proposer-builder separation directly into Ethereum’s core protocol. Currently, Ethereum relies heavily on off-chain relays to separate block building from block proposing, which introduces trust assumptions and centralization concerns. With ePBS, block builders would construct and cryptographically seal blocks, while proposers would simply select the most profitable block without being able to inspect or alter its contents. Transactions would only be revealed after finalization, significantly reducing opportunities for MEV-related abuse such as transaction reordering or censorship.
Another key proposal expected to be part of Glamsterdam is Block-level Access Lists (EIP-7928). This change allows an entire block to declare in advance which accounts and smart contract data it will access. By enabling Ethereum clients to preload required data, block execution becomes faster, more predictable, and easier to optimize. Over time, this could help stabilize gas costs and provide a foundation for future scaling improvements.
Both proposals are Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), the formal mechanism used to coordinate and implement protocol upgrades. While the final list of EIPs has not yet been confirmed, developers are actively discussing additional changes. Although no exact launch date has been set, Ethereum developers have indicated that the Glamsterdam upgrade is likely to arrive sometime in 2026, marking another major step in Ethereum’s long-term roadmap.
