Ethereum Plans Glamsterdam and Hegota Upgrades To Improve Network In 2026

TLDR

Table of Contents

Glamsterdam upgrade will launch in the first half of 2026 with scalability and gas optimizations.
Hegota upgrade will combine execution and consensus layer changes later in 2026.
Ethereum aims for 128-bit provable security for institutional-grade applications by year-end 2026.
Developers plan biannual network upgrades for faster, predictable release cadence and reduced friction.

Ethereum developers have announced plans for two major network upgrades in 2026, named “Glamsterdam” and “Hegota.” These upgrades aim to improve scalability, efficiency, and security while maintaining Ethereum’s transition to a predictable biannual release schedule. The network seeks to address performance bottlenecks, reduce transaction costs, and strengthen its position against high-speed blockchain competitors. Developers say both upgrades will focus on technical improvements critical for user adoption and institutional trust. The upgrades are also expected to provide a more robust foundation for decentralized applications and layer-2 solutions.

Glamsterdam Targets Scalability and Gas Efficiency

The first upgrade, Glamsterdam, is scheduled for the first half of 2026. Its main focus is immediate improvements in network scalability and transaction efficiency. Developers plan to implement gas optimizations to reduce costs for users and improve block processing speeds. These enhancements are aimed at making the network more accessible for retail and institutional users alike.

Ethereum announced Hegota, its next major upgrade planned for H2 2026.
Hegota focuses on lower hardware requirements via Verkle Trees, gradual cleanup of outdated chain data, and EVM optimizations that make smart contracts faster and cheaper.
The goal is simple: make Ethereum… pic.twitter.com/iQ0m8L2frz
— Yelay (@YieldLayer) December 21, 2025

A key feature of Glamsterdam is Enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS). This protocol-level change separates block proposers from block builders. It is expected to reduce censorship risks and further decentralize Ethereum’s network. Developers are finalizing the full feature set for Glamsterdam, with updates expected to be confirmed shortly after the holiday season. The upgrade will also introduce minor improvements to network monitoring and node synchronization to ensure smoother operations.

Hegota Combines Execution and Consensus Updates

The second upgrade, Hegota, will take place later in 2026. Its name reflects a dual focus, combining execution-layer updates from “Bogota” and consensus-layer improvements from “Heze.” Ethereum core developers plan to scope Hegota’s final features in early January during the All Core Developers meeting, with the finalized roadmap expected by late February.

Christine Kim, a former Galaxy Digital executive, noted that Hegota will focus on critical updates to enhance the network’s efficiency and maintain reliability for high-value transactions. These improvements will follow the foundation laid by Glamsterdam and are designed to complement Ethereum’s long-term technical roadmap. The upgrade is also expected to improve compatibility with upcoming Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) and enhance support for smart contract developers.

Security and Institutional Readiness

Parallel to these upgrades, the Ethereum Foundation is focusing on long-term security enhancements. Researcher George Kadianakis stated the network aims to achieve 128-bit provable security by the end of 2026. He noted, “For zkEVMs, a soundness issue is not like other security issues. If an attacker can forge a proof, they can mint tokens or rewrite state.”

Security milestones include integrating the “soundcalc” system in February 2026, aligned with Glamsterdam’s hard fork in May. These measures are intended to strengthen Ethereum for institutional-grade financial applications and reduce technical barriers to adoption.

Enhancing User Accessibility

Ethereum developers are also working to improve usability and lower entry barriers. By simplifying technical processes and integrating intuitive interfaces, the network aims to match the accessibility of mainstream consumer applications. This approach is designed to encourage broader adoption among retail and institutional users while maintaining high security and network efficiency.

The Ethereum community expects both upgrades to support faster transactions, reduced costs, and stronger decentralization. The planned rollout of Glamsterdam and Hegota demonstrates Ethereum’s ongoing commitment to predictable upgrades, long-term network stability, and scalability improvements for millions of users worldwide.