Ethereum 2026: Fusaka Delivered, Glamsterdam Next
Fusaka cut fees and spiked activity. Glamsterdam promises 3x gas capacity. Plus post-quantum security and Vitalik's 'world computer' vision. What's actually happening.
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Ethereum is shipping.
Fusaka launched. Activity spiked. Fees dropped.
Now Glamsterdam is coming with 3x the gas capacity. And the devs are already talking about post-quantum security.
The roadmap is moving faster than anyone expected.
Fusaka: What just happened
The upgrade (January 2026):
Fusaka increased blob capacity—raising the target to 14 blobs and maximum to 21 blobs per block.
Why it matters:
Blobs are data packets that rollups (like Arbitrum, Optimism, Base) publish to Ethereum. More blobs = cheaper rollup transactions = lower fees for users.
The results:
JPMorgan's analysts reported:
- Daily active addresses climbed above major L2 networks
- Mainnet addresses briefly topped 1.3 million
- Fees dropped significantly
The skepticism:
JPMorgan questioned whether the rebound will persist given competition from L2s and rival chains.
Fair point. Ethereum has seen activity spikes before that didn't stick.
Glamsterdam: Coming H1 2026
The next major upgrade promises to be transformative.
Key features:
1. Parallel Transaction Processing
Currently Ethereum processes transactions sequentially—one after another.
Glamsterdam introduces concurrent processing. Multiple transactions execute simultaneously.
2. Gas Limit Increase: 60M → 200M
More than 3x the current capacity.
More transactions per block. Less congestion. Lower fees during high-demand periods.
3. Block-level Access Lists
Technical optimization that helps validators process blocks more efficiently.
4. Enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS)
Currently, MEV (maximal extractable value) creates centralization pressure. ePBS builds MEV handling directly into the protocol, reducing reliance on external infrastructure like Flashbots.
Hegota: Late 2026 preview
Already in planning for the second half of 2026.
Verkle Trees:
A new data structure enabling "stateless clients."
What this means:
- ~90% reduction in node storage requirements
- Lower hardware barriers for solo validators
- More decentralization (more people can run nodes)
This matters because Ethereum's state is growing constantly. Without Verkle Trees, running a full node eventually becomes impractical for normal people.
Post-quantum security: Getting serious
The Ethereum Foundation elevated post-quantum security to a top strategic priority.
What's happening:
- Dedicated Post Quantum team formed, led by Thomas Coratger
- Biweekly developer sessions on post-quantum transactions
- Two $1 million prizes launched for new cryptographic research
- Researcher Justin Drake confirmed shift from "background research" to "active engineering"
Why it matters:
Quantum computers could theoretically break current cryptographic assumptions. This isn't imminent—but Ethereum is planning ahead rather than scrambling later.
The timeline: Post-quantum protections could start appearing in limited form in 2026.
PeerDAS and zkEVM: Already live
PeerDAS:
Data Availability Sampling is now on mainnet. This is the technology that makes higher blob counts possible without requiring every validator to download everything.
zkEVMs:
Vitalik Buterin said zkEVMs are at "advanced stage, focusing on safety and scalability."
zkEVM nodes could start appearing in limited form in 2026—a practical step toward solving the "blockchain trilemma" (scalability, security, decentralization).
Vitalik's vision: Two requirements
Buterin recently outlined what Ethereum must achieve to become the "world computer":
1. Usable at global scale
Not just technically possible—actually practical for billions of users. Current throughput isn't there yet, even with L2s.
2. Genuinely decentralized
Not just the base layer—applications built on top must also maintain decentralization. This is harder than it sounds.
The challenge: achieving both simultaneously. Most chains optimize for one at the expense of the other.
The competition question
Ethereum isn't operating in a vacuum.
Solana: Faster, cheaper, but centralization concerns.
L2s: Growing faster than L1 in some metrics. Are they competing with Ethereum or extending it?
Alternative L1s: Various chains trying to capture market share.
JPMorgan's skepticism about Fusaka's activity spike is valid: Ethereum needs sustained growth, not temporary bumps.
But the roadmap—Glamsterdam, Hegota, post-quantum—shows a chain that's actively improving rather than resting.
What to watch
Q1 2026:
- Fusaka activity: Does the spike persist?
- Glamsterdam timeline: Still on track for H1?
- L2 adoption metrics
H1 2026:
- Glamsterdam deployment
- Gas limit effects on fees and congestion
- zkEVM progress
H2 2026:
- Hegota development
- Verkle Trees implementation
- Post-quantum first features
Bottom line
Ethereum in 2026 is executing.
Fusaka shipped and delivered measurable improvements. Glamsterdam promises more significant capacity gains. The post-quantum initiative shows long-term thinking.
The criticism that "Ethereum is slow" is getting harder to defend. The roadmap items are actually shipping.
Whether it's enough to maintain dominance against faster competitors and growing L2s is a different question. But the technology side is moving.
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