⏱ 1 min read
The release brings in-protocol proposer–builder separation, block-level access lists and new gas pricing; mainnet timing remains unset.
Ethereum developers have scheduled the Glamsterdam upgrade to activate on the Sepolia testnet on Oct. 6, the Ethereum Foundation said. Node operators are required to update both their execution-layer and consensus-layer clients before the activation.
Glamsterdam enshrines proposer–builder separation, moving the handoff between specialized block builders and validators into Ethereum’s protocol. The Foundation said this reduces reliance on external middleware for block production.
The release also adds block-level access lists, which record the accounts and storage locations used during each block.
Gas pricing will change to better reflect the cost of creating and accessing data on Ethereum, according to the Foundation. Contracts that rely on fixed gas stipends or hardcoded gas limits may require changes.
Developers have not set dates for a rollout on the validator-focused Hoodi testnet or on mainnet. They are targeting 2027 for Hegotá, the upgrade expected to follow Glamsterdam. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin said Hegotá could be the network’s last “normal” fork before development shifts toward recursive STARKs, automated formal verification, optimized consensus and quantum-safe cryptography.
What to watch next
- Client releases and upgrade participation by major node operators on Sepolia.
- Whether dapps update gas assumptions and avoid failures under the new pricing.
- Any scheduling signals for Hoodi and a mainnet activation window once Sepolia results are in.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
🧠 HafidWatch Take
The extent of contract breakage caused by gas repricing on Sepolia will likely influence the timeline for Ethereum’s mainnet upgrade. If breakage remains low, developers may accelerate the rollout, but significant failures in gas-sensitive dapps could delay scheduling. Monitoring client updates and how quickly dapps adapt will provide important signals about the network’s readiness and the practical impact of the new gas pricing model.
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