Ethereum’s Glamsterdam Upgrade Hits Final Testing, Eyes 200M Gas Limit by 2026

Ethereum developers have pushed the network’s upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade into its final testing environment, marking a critical milestone toward dramatically expanding the blockchain’s transaction capacity. The upgrade, which bundles ten improvement proposals, is now running on its last development network before eventual mainnet deployment targeted for the second half of 2026.

The centerpiece of Glamsterdam is a planned increase to Ethereum’s gas limit floor—the maximum computational work allowed per block—to 200 million units. For context, the current limit hovers around 30 million gas per block, meaning this upgrade could theoretically allow for six times more transactions or complex smart contract operations within the same timeframe. For users, this translates to potentially lower fees during peak demand and smoother experiences across DeFi protocols and NFT platforms.

What’s Under the Hood

Among the ten Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) included, two stand out for their technical significance. Enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS) aims to formalize the division between block proposers and builders directly into Ethereum’s protocol, reducing centralization risks in the maximal extractable value (MEV) supply chain. Meanwhile, Block-Level Access Lists will optimize how smart contracts declare which accounts they interact with, streamlining execution and further boosting efficiency.

Devnets serve as Ethereum’s testing sandbox where core developers simulate mainnet conditions, stress-test new features, and iron out bugs before wider rollout. Reaching this final devnet phase signals that Glamsterdam’s code is stable enough for the community to begin serious preparation for testnet and eventual mainnet activation.

The ambitious timeline—H2 2026—gives validators, dapp developers, and infrastructure providers ample runway to upgrade clients and tooling. If successful, Glamsterdam could cement Ethereum’s position as the dominant smart contract platform by significantly narrowing the performance gap with faster, albeit less decentralized, competitors. Traders and builders should monitor upcoming testnet announcements closely, as network upgrades historically trigger volatility and renewed attention to ETH’s long-term scalability narrative.

Based on reporting by the original source.