Ethereum developers delay Glamsterdam fork over smart contract security concerns

Ethereum devs hold off on Glamsterdam upgrade

Ethereum developers have decided to delay the implementation of the Glamsterdam upgrade on the Hoodi testnet due to security risks related to smart contracts. This pause will allow them to address concerns tied to eight smart contract invariants associated with the upgrade.

The Ethereum Foundation announced that the upgrade’s progress will not continue until these issues are resolved, following a report from the smart contract auditing firm ChainSecurity.

Key numbers

• Eight smart contract issues identified.
• Glamsterdam’s changes impact how gas fees are calculated in Ethereum.
• Glamsterdam was tested on the Sepolia testnet starting October 6, 2026.

What the Ethereum Foundation stated

The Ethereum Foundation detailed that the changes proposed in Glamsterdam’s EIP-8037 and EIP-8038 modify the cost structure for certain operations, which could disrupt existing projects that depend on fixed gas assumptions.

What is confirmed

The decision to postpone the Hoodi fork is confirmed due to identified risks that need addressing to ensure the safety and functionality of the upgrade.

What is still unclear

It remains uncertain how long it will take to resolve the identified issues and whether changes to the proposed EIPs will be necessary.

Why it matters for Ethereum

This delay may impact the timeline for Ethereum’s scaling roadmap, which aims to improve transaction execution and reduce fees on the network.

Sources

• Cointelegraph