The intricate world of Ethereum’s core development, characterized by its frequent All Core Developer (ACD) calls, often presents a challenge for observers to stay abreast of the latest advancements. This "Checkpoint" series aims to distill these complex discussions into high-level updates, offering a periodic overview of critical progress and future trajectories. Building on the foundational work of previous updates, this installment delves into the ongoing evolution of Ethereum’s network upgrades, primarily focusing on the current status of "Glamsterdam" and the emerging landscape for its successor, "Hegotá".
Glamsterdam: Steady Progress Amidst Technical Hurdles
The journey towards the "Glamsterdam" upgrade, Ethereum’s next significant network enhancement, is marked by a blend of steady advancement and the acknowledgment of unforeseen technical complexities. While the overall momentum remains positive, certain core features are proving to be more intricate to implement than initially anticipated.
A central element of the Glamsterdam upgrade is the implementation of enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS), a groundbreaking proposal designed to fundamentally alter how block production operates. ePBS aims to decouple the roles of block proposers and block builders, introducing a more decentralized and potentially more efficient system. However, the integration of this new paradigm, which requires the protocol to manage potential disagreements or failures between these two distinct entities, has introduced significant challenges. Developers are grappling with the necessity for every layer of the Ethereum stack to reason about "partial blocks" and the intricacies of two-party coordination. This has a cascading effect, touching virtually all aspects of the protocol’s design and implementation.
On the execution layer, the development of Block-level Access Lists (BALs) represents a significant re-evaluation of gas mechanics and state access. This foundational shift is progressing through dedicated devnets, where developers are systematically addressing the anticipated difficulties associated with such a fundamental change. The successful implementation of BALs is crucial for enabling more predictable and potentially more efficient transaction processing within the network.
Beyond ePBS, Glamsterdam’s feature set encompasses several gas repricing initiatives, largely being pursued as a cohesive bundle. These repricings are critical for optimizing network resource allocation and potentially preparing for future increases in the block gas limit. Additionally, there is considerable ecosystem support for EIP-7954, which proposes an increase to the maximum contract size. The constructive dialogue surrounding this EIP suggests a strong likelihood of its inclusion in the upgrade, reflecting community consensus on its importance for expanding the capabilities of smart contracts on Ethereum.
The development roadmap for Glamsterdam involves a phased approach to testing. Developers are currently aiming for the deployment of the first generalized Glamsterdam devnet in the near future, contingent on the stabilization of the ongoing ePBS devnet. This will be followed by iterative deployments of devnets that progressively incorporate more of the non-headliner features. The ultimate goal is to achieve a stable devnet encompassing all slated features, after which client releases will be made, followed by rigorous security reviews. Successful completion of testnet phases will pave the way for the official announcement of the mainnet fork date.
Hegotá: Defining the Next Frontier of Ethereum Innovation
As the Ethereum community looks beyond Glamsterdam, the focus shifts to "Hegotá", the subsequent network upgrade. The selection process for Hegotá’s major feature has concluded, with FOCIL (EIP-7805) emerging as the chosen headliner for the consensus layer. FOCIL represents a significant advancement, though its precise technical implications are still being detailed by the development teams.
The execution layer, however, presented a more dynamic debate, particularly around Account Abstraction proposals. While there was significant interest in advancing Account Abstraction capabilities, a lack of complete consensus on specific implementation choices led to EIP-8141, also known as Frame transactions, being moved to the "Considered for Inclusion" (CFI) status. This designation signifies a commitment to address Account Abstraction as a non-headliner feature, with the understanding that further development and community consensus will be sought for a proposal that garners broader support among client developers. This approach emphasizes a collaborative and inclusive development process, prioritizing features that have widespread backing within the ecosystem.
An emerging trend influencing future upgrades is the increasing interest in quantum resistance. While no standalone proposals specifically addressing this concern have yet been formalized for Hegotá, it is being considered as an integral component within broader Account Abstraction proposals. This indicates a forward-looking approach to network security, anticipating potential future threats posed by advancements in quantum computing.
The window for proposing non-headlining features for Hegotá opened on April 9th. Interested parties can submit their proposals by integrating their respective EIPs 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 time for community engagement and review. The official Forkcast page for Hegotá will serve as the central hub for the most up-to-date information regarding its development process and timeline.
The eventual launch date for the Hegotá upgrade is intrinsically linked to the progress and successful deployment of Glamsterdam. This sequential dependency underscores the importance of timely and effective execution of each network upgrade phase.
Gas Limit Expansion: Paving the Way for Enhanced Throughput
A consistent theme across recent development cycles has been the ongoing testing and refinement of gas limit increases. These efforts are crucial for enabling higher transaction throughput on the Ethereum network, a key objective for scalability. Current devnet testing targets a baseline gas limit of 60 million, with ongoing investigations into significantly higher limits to fully understand the implications and necessary optimizations. The gas repricing work being integrated into Glamsterdam is a foundational step that will facilitate the safe and effective implementation of these higher gas limits in future upgrades. This meticulous approach to gas limit management is essential for maintaining network stability and efficiency as transaction demand grows.
Empowering Developers: The EIP Champion’s Handbook
To foster a more streamlined and effective process for feature proposal and community engagement, the Protocol Support team has introduced new resources. The EIP Champion’s Handbook, available on the Protocol Support team’s website, is designed to guide authors and advocates through the intricacies of championing feature proposals and garnering essential stakeholder feedback. This initiative aims to demystify the upgrade process, encouraging broader participation and increasing the likelihood of innovative features being successfully integrated into future Ethereum upgrades.
Analysis and Implications: A Shifting Upgrade Cadence
The initial excitement surrounding the rapid succession of upgrades like Fusaka and Pectra has been tempered by the inherent complexities encountered during the development of Glamsterdam. While the pace of development has slowed compared to initial expectations, the underlying progress remains substantial. The technical challenges, particularly with ePBS, are not deterring client developers, who continue to meticulously work through the intricate requirements.
The current outlook suggests that a Glamsterdam launch in the second quarter of the year is unlikely. However, the decision to designate a single headliner for Hegotá could potentially lead to a more accelerated timeline for its subsequent release. The ultimate speed of Hegotá’s deployment will depend on the efficiency of the non-headliner proposal process and the potential for a community-converged Account Abstraction proposal to be elevated to headliner status, reflecting its perceived importance.
The recent publication of the "strawmap" has been instrumental in reigniting enthusiasm for a guiding framework for feature selection during upgrade processes. While not an official roadmap, it serves as a valuable tool for fostering community consensus and aligning feature development with broader ecosystem priorities. This collaborative approach to defining Ethereum’s future direction is crucial for ensuring that the network evolves in a manner that benefits its diverse user base.
Looking Ahead: Relevant Discussions and Community Engagement
The ongoing development of Ethereum’s upgrades is a testament to the collaborative and iterative nature of blockchain technology. The progress made in core development is directly influenced by continuous discussions and feedback loops within the community. To stay informed about the latest developments and participate in shaping the future of Ethereum, referencing the relevant All Core Developer (ACD) calls provides invaluable insight.
From January 21st to April 9th, a series of critical discussions took place across various ACD call tracks:
- ACDT (All Core Developer – Technical Debt): Calls 76 through 67 have been instrumental in addressing technical debt, ensuring the long-term maintainability and robustness of the Ethereum protocol.
- ACDC (All Core Developer – Consensus): Calls 176 through 173 have focused on the consensus layer, a critical component for network security and operation, particularly relevant for features like ePBS and FOCIL.
- ACDE (All Core Developer – Execution): Calls 234 through 229 have been pivotal in discussing execution layer advancements, including the complexities of BALs and Account Abstraction proposals.
These calls represent the frontline of Ethereum’s development, where technical challenges are debated, solutions are proposed, and the future direction of the network is collectively charted. The comprehensive nature of these discussions, as documented on platforms like Forkcast, underscores the transparency and community-driven ethos that define Ethereum’s evolution.
