Ethereum News Today: Ethereum Plans Fusaka Hard Fork For November With 11 Improvements

Ethereum core developers have tentatively scheduled the release of the protocol’s next major hard fork, named Fusaka, for November. This upgrade is designed to enhance the network's efficiency and scalability. The Ethereum community has been advocating for more frequent and faster upgrades, and the timeline for Fusaka places it six months after the most recent hard fork, Pectra. Pectra introduced account abstraction, increased the validator staking limit, and improved the efficiency of layer-2 networks.

The Fusaka hard fork will include 11 Ethereum improvement proposals, one of which is EIP-7825. This proposal aims to bolster the network's resilience against malicious attacks while also scaling the network. Additionally, developers have proposed raising Ethereum’s gas limit to 150 million. However, to expedite the testing process, EIP-7907, which would double the contract code size limit and introduce gas metering, has been removed. In April, Ethereum core developer Tim Beiko stated that the controversial EVM Object Format upgrade would not be part of the Fusaka upgrade.

Two public testnets are scheduled to follow in September and October, with the final launch of the Fusaka hard fork planned for early November. The timeline for the upcoming Fusaka hard fork and the subsequent Glamsterdam hard fork is being closely monitored. In an X post, Ethereum protocol support member Nixo expressed concerns about launching Fusaka on the Ethereum mainnet this year, stating that the timeline needs to be tight to meet the Devconnect event in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from November 17 to November 22.

The tentative deadline for Fusaka comes as Ethereum core developers prepare to gather feedback for the Glamsterdam hard fork. The upgrades that will be included in the hard fork will be announced during the next AllCoreDevs - Execution meeting, scheduled for August 1. Recent proposed upgrades include reducing the block time from the current 12 seconds to six seconds, which Ethereum core developer Barnabé Monnot believes will greatly improve the user experience and make DeFi DApps more efficient. If approved, this upgrade will be rolled out with the Glamsterdam hard fork, scheduled for release sometime in 2026. Additionally, Ethereum validators have signaled their support for raising the network’s gas limit to 45 million, which will reduce transaction costs and improve network scalability. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin stated that "Almost exactly 50% of stake is voting to increase the L1 gas limit to 45m."

This series of upgrades reflects the Ethereum community's commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. The Fusaka upgrade, with its focus on efficiency and scalability, is a significant step forward in addressing some of the network's long-standing challenges. The proposed changes, such as EIP-7825 and the increase in the gas limit, are designed to make the network more robust and user-friendly. The removal of EIP-7907, while expediting the testing process, also indicates a pragmatic approach to balancing innovation with practical considerations.

The upcoming Glamsterdam hard fork, with its potential to reduce block time and further enhance scalability, underscores the community's long-term vision for the Ethereum network. The feedback and discussions during the AllCoreDevs - Execution meeting will be crucial in shaping the final upgrades for Glamsterdam. The support from Ethereum validators for raising the gas limit to 45 million highlights the community's consensus on the need for improved network efficiency and reduced transaction costs.

Overall, the Ethereum community's proactive approach to upgrades and continuous improvement positions the network for sustained growth and innovation. The upcoming Fusaka and Glamsterdam hard forks are pivotal milestones in this journey, reflecting the community's dedication to enhancing the network's capabilities and user experience.