Ethereum's 'Glamsterdam' upgrade: what changes?

Ethereum is on the eve of its next big step. The upgrade codenamed ‘Glamsterdam’ has reached its final development phase and is expected on the main network in the second half of 2026. What does it involve, and why is it important?

What is Glamsterdam?

Ethereum improves itself through planned upgrades, each with its own codename. Glamsterdam is the next in that series and focuses on the network's familiar pain points: speed, costs and scalability. The goal is to make Ethereum faster and cheaper so that it can better handle the growing demand from apps, DeFi and stablecoins.

Why does this matter?

Ethereum is the largest platform for decentralized applications and carries the lion's share of tokenized real-world assets. But the network has struggled for years with relatively high costs during busy times. Every upgrade that increases capacity makes Ethereum more attractive against faster competitors like Solana.

For the user, that can mean: lower transaction costs and a smoother experience. For the long term, it strengthens Ethereum's position as the infrastructure on which a large part of Web3 runs.

The broader context

Glamsterdam does not stand alone. The ecosystem is moving fast: Base — a network on top of Ethereum — recently introduced a privacy feature for business transactions, and billions in stablecoins were minted across various networks. The battle for the best, cheapest and safest infrastructure is in full swing.

What should you watch out for?

Upgrades do not always go flawlessly, and schedules can shift. Moreover, a technical improvement does not automatically translate into a higher price — the market often prices in expectations ahead of time. Follow the developments, but base decisions on facts and not on hype.

Want to get into Ethereum yourself or explore the network? First compare reliable platforms and read our beginner's guide.

Sources: Ethereum ecosystem development updates, market data June 2026.