Status: the Ethereum Foundation’s September 2026 protocol update targets December 2026 for Glamsterdam mainnet. It is not an upgrade that makes all gas free; it changes block-building architecture and reprices selected operations to better reflect resource costs.

What is Glamsterdam?

Ethereum often combines execution- and consensus-layer upgrade names. Glamsterdam is a major upgrade after Fusaka. Ordinary holders do not need to swap ETH or send it to an “upgrade contract.” Maintained wallets, exchanges and nodes handle the network transition.

What is changing?

AreaGoalWho should watch it
ePBSBring proposer-builder separation more directly into the protocolValidators, builders and MEV infrastructure
Gas repricingAlign selected operation costs with real resource useContract developers, wallets and estimators
Public testnetsFind hard-coded assumptions in clients, RPCs and indexersInfrastructure providers and exchanges
Future scalingCreate safer room for higher capacity and later upgradesThe broader Ethereum ecosystem

Will gas become more expensive?

There is no single yes-or-no answer. EIP-8037 and EIP-8038 testing adjusts the metering of specific operations. Most ordinary contracts are expected to be unaffected, while a small set with hard-coded gas assumptions or unusual execution paths may need changes. Repricing an operation is not the same as changing every user’s final fee by a fixed percentage.

Why does the Platåberget testnet matter?

Platåberget is a public testing ground for ePBS and gas repricing. The Foundation notes that wallets, indexers, RPC relays and gas estimators can break if they assume old rules. Long-lived testing is therefore a prerequisite for mainnet, not a formality.

What should ordinary ETH holders do?

  • Do not send ETH to an “upgrade” or “migration” contract.
  • Update wallets, hardware-wallet firmware and node software through verified channels.
  • Reject Glamsterdam airdrops, seed-phrase checks and upgrade tokens.
  • If an exchange pauses deposits or withdrawals, read its verified maintenance notice and do not duplicate transfers.
  • Developers should test contracts and gas estimation on public testnets early.

Why is Ethereum also discussing quantum resistance?

The same protocol-priorities update treats quantum resistance across execution, consensus and data as a long-term objective through 2029. This does not mean quantum computers can currently break Ethereum. It means protocol migrations should be designed before the threat becomes practical.

Official sources

Sources checked September 18, 2026. Scope and activation timing may change with test results.