The pace of innovation within Ethereum’s core development continues to be a dynamic and complex process, with the latest updates from All Core Developer calls highlighting both steady progress and anticipated challenges. This report offers a comprehensive overview of the ongoing development for the upcoming Glamsterdam and Hegotá upgrades, alongside critical discussions surrounding gas limits and the evolving landscape of Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs). The "Checkpoint" series aims to provide high-level updates on core development, building upon previous insights into the intricate workings of the Ethereum protocol.
Glamsterdam: Steady Progress Amidst Implementation Complexities
The Glamsterdam upgrade, slated to be the next significant network enhancement for Ethereum, is experiencing a period of diligent, albeit slower-than-initially-hoped, progress. While the foundational work is underway, certain key features are proving to be more technically demanding than anticipated.
A primary focus of Glamsterdam is the implementation of enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS). This ambitious feature aims to revolutionize the way blocks are constructed by separating the roles of block proposing and block building. Currently, these functions are often intertwined or handled externally to the core protocol. ePBS seeks to integrate these roles directly into the consensus layer, introducing a two-party coordination mechanism between proposers and builders. This necessitates a fundamental shift in how the Ethereum stack reasons about block finality, partial block propagation, and dispute resolution in scenarios involving disagreements or failures between these newly formalized entities. The complexity arises from ensuring robust security, efficiency, and decentralization within this new framework. The implementation of ePBS touches nearly every aspect of the protocol, from consensus to execution, demanding meticulous engineering and rigorous testing.
On the execution layer, Block-level Access Lists (BALs) represent another cornerstone of the Glamsterdam upgrade. BALs are designed to fundamentally re-evaluate how gas costs and state access are managed, offering a more granular and potentially more efficient approach. Development networks (devnets) dedicated to BALs are reportedly making predictable headway in tackling the inherent complexities associated with such a significant architectural shift.
Beyond these headline features, Glamsterdam also encompasses a suite of gas repricing initiatives. These changes, largely being prioritized as a unified bundle, aim to optimize gas costs and improve network efficiency. Furthermore, there has been significant constructive discourse from the broader ecosystem regarding EIP-7954, which proposes an increase to the maximum contract size. The strong community advocacy for this EIP suggests a high likelihood of its inclusion in the Glamsterdam upgrade, contingent on successful implementation and integration.
The current roadmap for Glamsterdam aims for the deployment of the first generalized devnet incorporating these features in the near future, contingent on the stabilization of the ongoing ePBS devnet. Following this milestone, the development team plans to iterate through multiple devnet stages, progressively integrating more of the non-headliner features. The eventual release of client software, comprehensive security audits, and extensive testnet deployments will precede any official mainnet fork date announcement.
Hegotá: FOCIL Selected as Headliner, Account Abstraction Moves to Consideration
Looking beyond Glamsterdam, the next major upgrade, codenamed Hegotá, has already seen its primary feature selection process conclude. FOCIL (EIP-7805) has been officially chosen as the headliner for the consensus layer of the Hegotá upgrade. This selection signifies a major step forward in defining the core objectives for this subsequent network enhancement.
The execution layer discussions for Hegotá were marked by a vigorous debate over an Account Abstraction proposal. While the overarching goal of enhancing Account Abstraction is widely supported within the community, a lack of consensus on specific implementation details led to a pivotal decision. The proposed EIP-8141, "Frame transactions," has been moved to "Considered for Inclusion" (CFI) status. This designation means that while it will not be a headlining feature, there is a commitment to explore and potentially integrate an Account Abstraction proposal that garners broader support from client developers and the community. This approach allows for further refinement and consensus-building around the most impactful and widely accepted implementations.
The discourse surrounding Hegotá also revealed a growing interest in quantum resistance. While no standalone proposal solely focused on quantum resistance has yet emerged, some Account Abstraction proposals are reportedly incorporating quantum-resistant elements as part of a more comprehensive package. This indicates a forward-thinking approach to long-term network security.
The process for proposing non-headlining features for Hegotá is set to commence on April 9th. Interested parties can submit their proposals by integrating them into the "Proposed for Inclusion" section of the upgrade’s meta EIP (EIP-8081). A formal closing date for these submissions will be announced with at least two weeks’ notice, ensuring ample opportunity for community engagement. The Forkcast page dedicated to the Hegotá upgrade will serve as the central hub for the most up-to-date information regarding its development timeline and processes. The eventual launch date for Hegotá will be significantly influenced by the progress and timeline of the Glamsterdam upgrade.
Gas Limit Discussions: Pushing Boundaries for Enhanced Throughput
A critical area of ongoing research and development is the increase of Ethereum’s gas limit. The current target for the baseline gas limit in Glamsterdam is 60 million gas. However, extensive testing is being conducted at significantly higher limits to thoroughly understand the implications, identify potential bottlenecks, and develop necessary optimizations. This push for higher gas limits is crucial for enhancing the network’s transaction throughput and scalability. Much of the gas repricing work slated for Glamsterdam is foundational to enabling these safe and higher gas limits. The continued testing and analysis of these higher limits are vital to ensuring network stability and efficiency as Ethereum evolves.
EIP Champion’s Handbook: Empowering Proposal Development
To foster a more streamlined and effective process for introducing new features and upgrades, the Protocol Support team has launched new resources for EIP authors and advocates. The newly published EIP Champion’s Handbook, available on the Protocol Support team website, provides comprehensive guidance on navigating the proposal lifecycle, gathering stakeholder feedback, and championing feature proposals. This initiative aims to empower developers and community members interested in contributing to Ethereum’s future by providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary to successfully advance their proposals through the upgrade process.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The recent development cycle underscores a maturing approach to Ethereum upgrades. While the initial excitement for rapid forks following the Fusaka upgrade was palpable, the inherent complexities of features like ePBS in Glamsterdam have necessitated a more deliberate and thorough development process. The current projection suggests that Glamsterdam’s mainnet launch in the second quarter of the year may be unlikely.
However, the strategic selection of a single headliner for Hegotá presents an opportunity for a potentially more expedited subsequent upgrade. The timeline for Hegotá will largely hinge on the successful resolution of Glamsterdam’s development challenges and the efficiency of the non-headliner selection process. It remains a possibility that a particularly impactful Account Abstraction proposal could emerge and gain sufficient community and developer consensus to be elevated to headliner status for Hegotá, reflecting its paramount importance to the Ethereum ecosystem.
The recent publication of the "strawmap" has also played a significant role in reigniting enthusiasm for a more cohesive, albeit informal, roadmap for Ethereum upgrades. This guide serves as a valuable tool for informing feature choices and fostering community alignment on development priorities, contributing to a more predictable and collaborative upgrade path.
Relevant All Core Developer Calls (ACD)
The ongoing development and decision-making processes are meticulously documented through a series of All Core Developer (ACD) calls. The period from January 21st to April 9th has seen extensive discussions across various sub-committees:
- ACDT (All Core Developer Execution Layer): Calls 76 through 67 have covered a wide range of execution layer topics, including the intricacies of gas repricing, contract size limits, and the development of features like BALs.
- ACDC (All Core Developer Consensus Layer): Calls 176 through 173 have focused on consensus-critical aspects, including the progress on ePBS, validator behavior, and the selection of consensus layer features for upcoming upgrades.
- ACDE (All Core Developer Execution Layer): Calls 234 through 229 have been instrumental in refining execution layer proposals, debating the merits of various EIPs, and coordinating testing efforts for features intended for Glamsterdam and beyond.
These calls represent the bedrock of Ethereum’s decentralized governance and development, providing transparent forums for the technical discussions that shape the network’s future. The continuous engagement and rigorous debate within these calls are essential for ensuring the robustness, security, and scalability of the Ethereum protocol.
