The pace of Ethereum’s core development, while ambitious, is encountering the inherent complexities of protocol upgrades. The latest "Checkpoint" update from Ethereum’s core development community reveals that the upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade, initially anticipated with a degree of rapid progression following the Fusaka hard fork, is experiencing a more deliberate and challenging implementation phase. Simultaneously, the subsequent Hegotá upgrade has solidified its primary feature, setting the stage for future development cycles. This report delves into the current status of Glamsterdam, the emerging roadmap for Hegotá, and the broader implications for Ethereum’s evolutionary path.
Glamsterdam: Progressing Through Complexity
Glamsterdam, Ethereum’s next significant network upgrade, is currently in a critical phase of implementation. While the upgrade comprises a comprehensive suite of proposed Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), the core development team is navigating substantial technical hurdles, particularly concerning the highly anticipated enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS).
The ePBS mechanism, designed to fundamentally alter how blocks are produced by separating the roles of proposers and builders within the consensus layer, presents a complex engineering challenge. This shift necessitates that the protocol itself manages disagreements or failures between these two distinct entities, a departure from the current out-of-protocol coordination. As a result, every layer of the Ethereum stack must adapt to reason about "partial blocks" and intricate two-party coordination. This has proven to be a more intricate undertaking than initially forecasted, impacting the overall timeline.
On the execution layer front, Block-level Access Lists (BALs), an EIP aiming for a fundamental re-evaluation of gas and state access mechanisms, are also undergoing rigorous development. While BAL devnets are reportedly making predictable progress through these challenging issues, their integration into the broader upgrade package contributes to the overall development load.
Beyond the headlining features, other proposed EIPs for Glamsterdam are also being carefully considered. These include a bundle of gas repricing proposals, aimed at optimizing transaction costs and network efficiency. Notably, EIP-7954, which proposes an increase to the maximum contract size, has garnered significant attention and constructive feedback from the ecosystem. Its potential inclusion is being prioritized due to its perceived importance for future dApp development and scalability.
The development team is currently targeting the deployment of the first generalized Glamsterdam devnet in the near future, contingent on the stabilization of the existing ePBS devnet. Following this milestone, a series of devnets incorporating an increasing number of non-headliner features will be iterated upon. The ultimate release to testnets and subsequently mainnet will only occur after extensive testing, security reviews, and confirmation of stability across all integrated components. This meticulous process underscores the commitment to a robust and secure network evolution.
Hegotá: FOCIL Takes Center Stage, Account Abstraction on the Horizon
As the development of Glamsterdam continues, the focus is also shifting towards the subsequent upgrade, codenamed Hegotá. The selection process for its major feature has concluded, with FOCIL (EIP-7805) being chosen as the consensus layer headliner. FOCIL’s inclusion signifies a commitment to advancing specific consensus-critical functionalities within the protocol.
The execution layer’s feature selection for Hegotá saw considerable debate, particularly surrounding Account Abstraction proposals. While a specific proposal, EIP-8141 (Frame transactions), was considered, a lack of consensus among client developers regarding its implementation details led to its deferral. It has now been moved to a "Considered for Inclusion" (CFI) status as a non-headliner feature. This decision reflects a strategic approach to prioritize proposals with broader developer consensus, while still acknowledging the importance of Account Abstraction for enhancing user experience and developer flexibility on Ethereum. A placeholder commitment has been made to work on an Account Abstraction proposal that can garner wider support, encouraging active community participation in this process.
The call for non-headlining feature proposals for Hegotá is set to commence on April 9th. Developers and stakeholders interested in contributing to this upgrade can submit their EIPs by integrating them into the "Proposed for Inclusion" section of the fork’s meta EIP (EIP-8081). The deadline for these submissions will be communicated with at least two weeks’ advance notice, ensuring ample opportunity for participation. The Hegotá forkcast page on Forkcast remains the definitive source for the most up-to-date information regarding the upgrade’s process and timeline.
The timing of the Hegotá upgrade is intrinsically linked to the progress and eventual launch of Glamsterdam. A smoother and more predictable rollout of Glamsterdam could potentially accelerate the timeline for Hegotá. Conversely, any significant delays in Glamsterdam would likely have a cascading effect on subsequent upgrades.
Evolving Upgrade Strategy and the Role of the Strawmap
The initial excitement surrounding the rapid succession of upgrades, driven by the swift integration of Fusaka following Pectra, has been tempered by the more involved nature of Glamsterdam. This evolution in upgrade pacing highlights the increasing maturity and complexity of the Ethereum protocol. As new features are proposed and implemented, the technical dependencies and interdependencies become more pronounced, necessitating a more thorough and deliberate approach.
The selection of a single headliner for Hegotá could, depending on the outcome of the non-headliner selection process, lead to a more streamlined upgrade than Glamsterdam. This suggests a potential refinement in the upgrade strategy, balancing ambitious feature sets with practical implementation realities. The possibility remains that a particularly impactful Account Abstraction proposal could emerge and gain enough traction to be elevated to a headliner status for Hegotá, underscoring the dynamic nature of core development decisions.
In parallel with these development efforts, the "strawmap" published earlier this year has played a significant role in re-energizing the community’s enthusiasm for a more cohesive roadmap. While not an official Ethereum roadmap, this community-driven document serves as a valuable guide for informing feature choices during the upgrade process. It appears to be fostering greater consensus and alignment within the community regarding development priorities, contributing to a more unified vision for Ethereum’s future.
Gas Limit Increases and Protocol Support Resources
Integral to the ongoing development and the enablement of more advanced features is the continuous testing and refinement of gas limit increases. Devnets are actively engaged in evaluating higher gas limits, with a current target of 60 million for the baseline gas limit in Glamsterdam and beyond. Extensive testing at significantly higher limits is underway to fully understand the implications, identify potential optimizations, and ensure the safe integration of these increases. The gas repricing work within Glamsterdam is designed to facilitate these higher limits, contributing to improved network throughput and efficiency.
Furthermore, the Ethereum Protocol Support team has released new resources aimed at empowering EIP authors and advocates. The EIP Champion’s Handbook, available on the Protocol Support team website, provides guidance on navigating the proposal process, seeking stakeholder feedback, and championing feature proposals effectively. This initiative is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and efficient development ecosystem, encouraging broader participation in shaping Ethereum’s future.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The current phase of Ethereum’s development underscores a commitment to robust and secure protocol evolution. While Glamsterdam’s complexities have led to a more measured pace, the progress made in understanding and addressing these challenges, particularly with ePBS and BALs, is laying a stronger foundation for future upgrades. The strategic selection of features for Hegotá, coupled with a structured process for non-headliner proposals, suggests a learning and adaptation within the core development community.
The increasing interest in quantum resistance, though not yet materialized as a standalone proposal for Hegotá, indicates a forward-looking approach to long-term network security. The inclusion of quantum resistance within broader Account Abstraction proposals hints at integrated solutions for future-proofing the network.
The success of Glamsterdam, slated for Q2, remains a key determinant of the overall upgrade timeline. However, the clear definition of Hegotá’s headliner and the established process for non-headliner contributions offer a degree of predictability. The continued dialogue and consensus-building, aided by tools like the strawmap, are vital for ensuring that Ethereum’s upgrades align with the evolving needs and priorities of its diverse ecosystem. The journey of Ethereum’s core development is a testament to iterative innovation, where challenges are met with meticulous engineering and a collaborative spirit.
Relevant ACD Calls:
The following calls have been instrumental in shaping the discussions and decisions surrounding these upgrades:
- ACDT: 76, 75, 74, 73, 72, 71, 70, 69, 68, 67 (January 21st – April 9th)
- ACDC: 176, 175, 174, 173
- ACDE: 234, 233, 232, 231, 230, 229
