Ethereum Upgrades: How Network Improvements Are Shaping the Future
In early 2026, Ethereum has moved beyond its initial “settlement layer” phase and is transitioning into a global interoperable computer. The network’s development is now following a predictable, semi-annual upgrade cycle that prioritizes user experience, decentralization, and extreme scalability.
1. The 2026 Upgrade Roadmap: Glamsterdam & Hegota
The Ethereum community has locked in two major protocol milestones for this year, each addressing critical bottlenecks in the network’s architecture.
A. Glamsterdam (First Half 2026)
Named after a blend of “Glamour” and “Amsterdam,” this upgrade focuses on Parallel Execution and Fairness.
- Parallel Processing: Traditionally, Ethereum processed transactions one by one. Glamsterdam introduces “Block-Level Access Lists,” allowing the network to process multiple non-conflicting transactions simultaneously. This could effectively triple the throughput of the Mainnet.
- Enshrined PBS (ePBS): This moves the “block-building” logic directly into the protocol to combat centralization. It makes it harder for large validators to manipulate transaction ordering for profit (MEV), ensuring a fairer market for users.
B. Hegota (Late 2026)
The name combines “Heze” and “Bogota.” This upgrade targets The Verge phase of the roadmap—making it possible to run a node on a simple laptop.
- Verkle Trees: This is the “Holy Grail” for node efficiency. By replacing the current data structure, Verkle Trees will reduce the storage required to run a node by up to 90%, moving Ethereum closer to “statelessness” where users can verify the chain without storing gigabytes of data.
2. The Scaling Reality: 100,000+ TPS
In 2026, the “L1 vs. L2” debate has been settled. Ethereum Layer-1 (L1) has become the secure “courtroom,” while Layer-2 (L2) rollups like Base, Arbitrum, and ZKsync are the “city streets” where daily life happens.
