Ethereum's core developers have laid out a detailed operational roadmap for 2026, centering on two major network upgrades named Glamsterdam and Hegota. The strategy marks a significant shift towards a predictable, twice-yearly release cadence, aimed at reducing uncertainty for builders, infrastructure operators, and governance participants. This move is framed as a competitive asset to reinforce Ethereum's position against high-performance rivals, emphasizing execution quality over new narratives.
The first upgrade, Glamsterdam, is targeted for the first half of 2026. Its core focus is on gas optimizations and the implementation of Enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS), specifically through EIP-7732. This change will separate block builder and block proposer roles at the protocol level, a move designed to reduce censorship risk, further decentralize the network, and decrease reliance on external systems like MEV-Boost relays. Developers position Glamsterdam as delivering near-term throughput and cost improvements, with its final feature set to be locked shortly after the holiday break.
The second upgrade, Hegota, is planned for the second half of 2026. It is a dual-scope upgrade, combining an execution layer component called Bogota with a consensus layer component called Heze. Discussions to define Hegota's precise scope are scheduled to begin on the All Core Developers call on January 8, 2025, with a final scope expected by the end of February.
In parallel, the Ethereum Foundation is directing long-term research toward enhancing security, with a target of achieving 128-bit provable security by the end of 2026. This is described as foundational for institutional-grade financial applications and zkEVM safety. Key milestones include a soundcalc integration in February 2025 and full alignment with the Glamsterdam upgrade in May 2025. The overarching theme for Ethereum in 2026 is the combination of security and usability, with plans to lower entry barriers and deliver a more consumer-like experience to drive broader global adoption.
