Ethereum's biggest upgrade since The Merge enters final testing with EIP-7732 and EIP-7928 as headline proposals, targeting a H1 2026 launch.
Ethereum's Glamsterdam upgrade, the network's largest protocol change since The Merge, has completed Devnet-4 testing and is transitioning to Devnet-5 with a target launch in H1 2026.
The Glamsterdam upgrade scope was finalized in early 2026 with eight core Ethereum Improvement Proposals. The two headline changes are EIP-7732, which introduces Enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS) on the consensus layer, and EIP-7928, which adds Block-Level Access Lists on the execution layer. Together, these proposals target a 78.6% reduction in gas fees for smart contract calls, a throughput increase to roughly 10,000 transactions per second, and a gas limit expansion from 60 million to 200 million per block.
Devnet-4 testing has been completed, and the team is now moving to Devnet-5. A public testnet phase is planned for spring 2026, with dual audit rounds before any mainnet deployment. The tentative target remains June, though developers have noted this could slip to Q3 depending on testnet results.
Glamsterdam addresses two structural problems that have constrained Ethereum's growth: high execution costs and centralized block production. EIP-7732 moves block building on-chain, significantly reducing MEV extraction and removing reliance on off-chain relay infrastructure. EIP-7928 enables parallel transaction processing, allowing validators to execute non-overlapping state changes simultaneously rather than sequentially.
The timing is notable. ETH trades near $2,050, well below its late-2025 highs. Meanwhile, 37 million ETH (30.6% of circulating supply) is locked in staking, and institutional products like BlackRock's ETHA ETF continue to attract capital. A successful upgrade could reignite interest in Ethereum's execution layer at a point where the asset is trading at a significant discount to its previous cycle peak.
The transition from Devnet-5 to public testnet will be the next major milestone. Any delays in audit completion or testnet stability issues could push the launch into Q3. A follow-up upgrade called Hegota is already scheduled for H2 2026, targeting Verkle Trees and further scaling improvements. Traders should monitor ETH gas fees and validator queue length as leading indicators of network demand ahead of the upgrade.
Glamsterdam represents the most ambitious Ethereum execution layer overhaul in years. With testing progressing and the scope locked, the next two months will determine whether H1 2026 delivery holds or slips into the second half of the year.
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