Ethereum Advances Glamsterdam Upgrade with Key October 26 Testnet Launch

Ethereum developers have officially scheduled the next major phase of the "Glamsterdam" upgrade, setting a countdown for its activation on the Hoodi test network. Scheduled for October 26 at 17:42:48 UTC, this move follows the successful implementation of the upgrade on the Sepolia testnet earlier this month. This testing phase is a vital step in verifying software compatibility and network stability before the upgrade eventually reaches the Ethereum mainnet.

Strengthening Protocol Architecture and Efficiency

At the core of the Glamsterdam upgrade are two transformative shifts: the introduction of Enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS) and block-level access lists. By integrating ePBS directly into the Ethereum protocol, the network aims to formalize the relationship between block producers and builders, reducing the current reliance on external, third-party arrangements. Furthermore, the implementation of block-level access lists is designed to streamline how clients process data, potentially allowing for parts of a block to be validated in parallel to improve overall performance.

Testing High-Capacity Limits on Hoodi

The activation on the Hoodi network marks a significant engineering milestone, as the testnet's gas limit is set to rise to 200 million. While this increase is intended to simulate high-load conditions and observe protocol behavior under stress, it does not serve as a direct promise that mainnet capacity will immediately quadruple. Developers are using this environment to ensure that changes to gas accounting—specifically how the network charges for state creation and access—function as intended. As the October 26 deadline approaches, node operators and validators on the Hoodi network are required to update their clients, though mainnet users do not yet need to take any action.