Ethereum’s core development community continues its rapid pace of innovation, recently deploying the Fusaka upgrade, which enhanced data availability and introduced flexible blob parameter adjustments. This update, a significant step in Ethereum’s ongoing evolution, sets the stage for forthcoming upgrades like Glamsterdam and Hegotã, each poised to introduce further enhancements to the network’s scalability, security, and decentralization. This "Checkpoint" series aims to provide high-level updates on core development progress every 4-8 weeks, offering a crucial overview for stakeholders navigating the complex Ethereum roadmap.
The Fusaka upgrade, deployed alongside crucial protocol enhancements, marks a pivotal moment in Ethereum’s scalability narrative. A key feature introduced is the ability to adjust blob parameters independently from full network hard fork cycles. This innovative approach, termed Blob Parameter Only (BPO) forks, allows for more agile and responsive scaling of Layer 2 (L2) transaction data capacity. Previously, such adjustments necessitated a full network upgrade, a process that involved significant coordination and lead time. The introduction of BPO forks streamlines this process, enabling Ethereum to adapt more readily to the growing demands of L2 solutions and the broader decentralized application ecosystem.
This flexibility was immediately put to the test with two successful BPO forks following Fusaka. These forks effectively increased the available data space for L2s by 2.3 times, raising the target from pre-Fusaka levels to an average of 14 blobs per block, with a maximum capacity of 21. This strategic increase addresses the escalating need for robust data availability solutions, crucial for the economic viability and performance of rollups and other L2 scaling technologies. The successful implementation of these BPO forks demonstrates the maturity and adaptability of Ethereum’s upgrade mechanism.
The Fusaka upgrade itself brought Data Availability Sampling (DAS) to Ethereum, a foundational element for the eventual sharding roadmap. DAS allows nodes to efficiently verify the availability of data without needing to download the entire dataset. This is a critical advancement for the scalability of Ethereum, enabling the network to handle significantly larger volumes of data more effectively. The significance of this development was highlighted by official Ethereum communications and prominent figures within the ecosystem. The Ethereum (@ethereum) Twitter account and Vitalik Buterin himself took to social media to elucidate the technical intricacies of PeerDAS, the critical importance of secure scaling, and how these advancements fit into the overarching strategic vision for Ethereum’s future.
The Road Ahead: Glamsterdam and Hegotã
With Fusaka successfully integrated, the focus of core development has shifted to the next major network upgrade, codenamed Glamsterdam. This upgrade is now fully scoped, and progress is actively underway. Glamsterdam’s headline features include enshrined Proposer Builder Separation (ePBS) and Block-level Access Lists (BALs). While BALs have already seen progress with the deployment of devnets, ePBS, a more complex architectural change, requires additional development time before comparable testing environments are available.
ePBS aims to fundamentally alter how blocks are constructed and validated. By separating the roles of block proposers and block builders, it seeks to enhance decentralization and reduce the potential for MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) extraction to centralize block production. This separation is expected to foster a more competitive block-building market, potentially leading to more efficient block production and greater censorship resistance.
Block-level Access Lists (BALs), on the other hand, will allow for more granular control over transaction inclusion at the block level. This feature is designed to provide a mechanism for networks to selectively exclude certain transactions from being included in blocks, offering a layer of censorship resistance. The development of devnets for BALs indicates a tangible progression towards its integration.
The subsequent major upgrade, Hegotã, is also taking shape, with its primary feature proposals now being actively discussed and refined. A critical deadline of February 4th has been set for the submission of headliner proposals for Hegotã. This inclusive approach to feature selection underscores Ethereum’s commitment to community-driven development, allowing anyone to propose significant enhancements through Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs).
The naming convention for these upgrades has seen a minor adjustment. The proposed name "Heka" for the upgrade following Glamsterdam was replaced with "Heze" due to community feedback indicating that "Heka" was not cataloged by the International Astronomical Union, a standard followed for previous star-themed upgrade names. The subsequent upgrade is thus named "Heze + Bogota," forming "Hegotã."
FOCIL and the Evolution of Censorship Resistance
A notable development in the Hegotã upgrade planning is the reassignment of Fork-choice Inclusion Lists (FOCIL). Initially considered for Glamsterdam, FOCIL has been moved to a "Considered" status for Hegotã. This decision was made to streamline the scope of Glamsterdam, allowing for a more focused and timely delivery of its core features. FOCIL, a mechanism aimed at enhancing censorship resistance across both the consensus and execution layers of Ethereum, has garnered significant support from core developers and the broader community. Its potential inclusion in Hegotã will be evaluated alongside other headliner proposals.
The move of FOCIL to Hegotã highlights the iterative nature of Ethereum’s development process. Complex, cross-layer EIPs that touch critical interfaces like the engine API require careful consideration and extensive testing. The decision to re-evaluate FOCIL for Hegotã underscores the commitment to ensuring such significant features are robust and well-integrated. A dedicated Ethereum Magicians forum thread provides a platform for community discussion and readiness assessment for FOCIL’s inclusion in Hegotã.
The Hegotã Proposal and Decision Timeline
The path towards defining Hegotã’s feature set is now clearly delineated. The proposal window for headliner features is open until February 4th. Interested parties are encouraged to utilize the Ethereum Magicians forum and the provided template to formally submit their EIPs. Following this submission period, from February 5th to February 26th, headliner proposals will undergo thorough discussion and finalization during All Core Developer (ACD) calls. This period of intense deliberation is crucial for consensus building and ensuring that the selected features align with the network’s long-term strategic goals.
After the headliner features for Hegotã are finalized, a subsequent 30-day window will be opened for the proposal of non-headliner EIPs. The exact deadline for these proposals will be communicated through future Checkpoint updates, emphasizing the importance of staying informed about the ongoing development discussions. The process for proposing non-headliner EIPs mirrors that of headliners, requiring developers to champion their proposals and see them through the technical review and implementation stages. This structured approach ensures that while innovation is encouraged, the upgrade process remains manageable and focused.
Navigating the Core Development Process
Understanding how features are integrated into Ethereum’s upgrade path is essential for active participation. The process for shepherding an Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) into a network upgrade is detailed in a comprehensive guide, which outlines the steps from initial specification to final implementation. An EIP begins with a formal proposal, often referencing EIP-1 as a foundational template, and then proceeds through a designated proposal window. A technical point-of-contact, or "champion," is crucial for guiding the EIP through the various stages of review, discussion, and testing.
The sheer volume of proposed non-headliner features for the Glamsterdam upgrade presented a significant challenge for client and testing teams. The task of thoroughly reviewing dozens of specifications and making informed recommendations on the most impactful and urgent changes is a substantial undertaking. This experience has likely contributed to a clearer understanding of the process for developers, leading to more streamlined proposal submissions for future upgrades like Hegotã. The increased participation and clarity in the proposal process suggest a maturing ecosystem where developers are better equipped to contribute to Ethereum’s evolution.
The upcoming Hegotã upgrade is expected to see increased competition for headliner status, potentially including proposals for encrypted mempools alongside FOCIL. The technical complexity of cross-layer EIPs like FOCIL presents challenges when pairing them with other significant architectural changes. Discussions around other potential features, such as a reduction in slot times to six seconds, are ongoing, though it remains uncertain whether such proposals will be submitted for Hegotã or deferred to subsequent upgrades. Community engagement during the February discussion period is strongly encouraged to advocate for preferred features.
Relevant All Core Developer Calls
For those seeking to delve deeper into the technical discussions and decision-making processes, a comprehensive list of relevant All Core Developer (ACD) calls is provided. These calls, spanning various technical streams (ACDT, ACDC, ACDE), offer a direct window into the ongoing work and debates shaping Ethereum’s future. The period from November 14th to January 19th has seen numerous critical discussions, the transcripts and summaries of which are readily available through platforms like Forkcast. Monitoring these calls is crucial for understanding the nuances of protocol development and the rationale behind key decisions.
The continuous evolution of Ethereum’s core protocol is a testament to the collaborative and iterative nature of open-source development. With Fusaka now live, enhancing scalability and introducing flexible scaling mechanisms, and with Glamsterdam and Hegotã on the horizon, the network is poised for significant advancements in the coming years. The commitment to community input, rigorous testing, and a structured upgrade process ensures that Ethereum remains a robust and adaptable platform for the decentralized future.
