Ethereum’s Glamsterdam Upgrade Takes Shape as 2026 Target Comes Into Focus

Ethereum developers are preparing the network’s next major upgrade, known as Glamsterdam, with early plans pointing to a rollout in the first half of 2026 as technical details continue to be debated.

Glamsterdam Signals Ethereum’s Next Big Protocol Shift in 2026

Glamsterdam follows December 2025’s Fusaka upgrade and represents the next step in Ethereum’s long-term protocol roadmap. The name blends “Amsterdam,” referring to execution-layer changes, with “Gloas,” a working label tied to consensus-layer development. Together, they signal a coordinated upgrade rather than a single-issue patch.

At its core, Glamsterdam is designed to address long-standing concerns around Maximal Extractable Value, otherwise known as MEV. MEV arises when block producers or builders reorder or filter transactions to capture extra value, often at users’ expense. While MEV has become a multibillion-dollar feature of Ethereum’s economy, it has also raised questions about fairness, transparency, and centralization.

One of the headline proposals expected in Glamsterdam is enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation, known as ePBS. This mechanism would bake the separation between block proposers and block builders directly into the protocol, reducing reliance on off-chain relays and limiting the ability of a small group of actors to dominate block construction. The goal is simple, even if the engineering is not: fewer backroom deals, more predictable outcomes.

Another likely component is Block-level Access Lists, or BALs, which allow blocks to declare in advance which parts of the Ethereum state they will touch. This could make transaction execution more efficient, lower hardware demands for validators, and improve gas predictability for developers building decentralized applications.

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Glamsterdam also builds directly on the groundwork laid by Fusaka, which expanded blob capacity for rollups and lowered node operating costs. Where Fusaka leaned heavily into scaling, Glamsterdam shifts the spotlight toward efficiency, validator dynamics, and cleaner incentives at the protocol level.

The timeline, however, remains flexible. Developers are still debating which Ethereum Improvement Proposals make the final cut, with testing, audits, and risk management expected to shape the final scope. Public testnets are reportedly anticipated in early 2026, followed by a mainnet launch once the pieces are ready.

If delivered as envisioned, Glamsterdam could reshape how value flows through Ethereum, making the network more accessible to solo validators while improving conditions for users and builders alike. As always with Ethereum upgrades, the direction is clear—even if the exact arrival time is still penciled in rather than inked.

FAQ ❓

• **What is Glamsterdam?**Glamsterdam is Ethereum’s next planned network upgrade, combining execution- and consensus-layer changes.
• **When is the Glamsterdam upgrade expected?**Developers are targeting the first half of 2026, though the date remains flexible.
• **Why does Glamsterdam matter for users?**The upgrade aims to reduce MEV-related manipulation and improve network efficiency.
• **What comes after Glamsterdam?**Developers have discussed a potential follow-up upgrade later in 2026, pending progress and testing.