Ethereum, the leading blockchain platform, is set to undergo transformative changes in 2026. These upgrades, spearheaded by the Glamsterdam and Heze-Bogota forks, promise to elevate Ethereum’s scalability and enhance its decentralization features. Here’s what you need to know.
Glamsterdam Fork: Perfect Parallel Processing and Gas Limit Expansion
Scheduled for mid-2026, the Glamsterdam fork introduces cutting-edge parallel processing capabilities via Block Access Lists (EIP-7928). This innovative feature enables multi-lane transaction processing across multiple CPU cores, replacing Ethereum’s traditional single-lane transaction model. By utilizing this multi-core approach, Ethereum achieves higher efficiency, allowing for multiple simultaneous transactions per block.
In conjunction with these improvements, the gas limit will skyrocket from 60 million to a potential 200 million. This increase is a critical step toward Ethereum’s ambitious goal of processing 10,000 transactions per second (TPS) on its layer 1 blockchain. For developers, enterprises, and decentralized application (dApp) users, this represents a new chapter in scalability and speed for every Ethereum transaction.
Validator Operations: Transition to Zero-Knowledge Proof Technology
The Glamsterdam upgrade will also bring a paradigm shift in how validators operate. Approximately 10% of validators are expected to transition to Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proof verification, reducing the dependence on re-execution mechanisms. This change leverages zk-proof’s efficiency to manage state changes and improve block validation, paving the way for even greater transaction throughput in Ethereum’s evolving ecosystem.
Heze-Bogota Fork: Censorship Resistance and Privacy Enhancements
Later in 2026, Ethereum will implement the Heze-Bogota fork. One of its headline features is Fork-Choice Inclusion Lists, designed to combat potential censorship risks across the network. By mandating specific transaction inclusions for block validity, Ethereum ensures reliability even when parts of the network act in bad faith.
This fork also introduces improvements to privacy mechanisms, an increasingly vital aspect of Ethereum’s roadmap. It empowers users with censorship resistance and bolsters Ethereum’s decentralized ethos.
Gas Limit and Layer 2 Scaling Evolution
With the implementation of the proposer-builder separation as part of these upgrades, Ethereum’s network gas limit is set to experience substantial increases throughout 2026. Projections suggest it could jump to 200 million, accompanied by greater data blob capacity for layer 2 solutions. This translates into an enhanced ability to process hundreds of thousands of transactions per second, making layer 2 networks more viable for mass adoption.
Unlock Ethereum’s Full Potential
The 2026 upgrades signify Ethereum’s entrance into a new era of scalability, decentralization, and innovation. Whether you’re a developer, investor, or technology enthusiast, these milestones solidify Ethereum’s position as the blockchain of the future.
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