Checkpoint #6: Oct 2025

Ethereum’s core protocol development is accelerating, with the Fusaka upgrade entering testnet phase in early October 2025 and targeting mainnet activation by year-end. Fusaka aims to significantly increase the Layer 1 gas limit—potentially surpassing 60 million from the current 45 million—unlocking greater transaction throughput. Meanwhile, the next upgrade, Glamsterdam, has finalized its headline features: enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS) to improve MEV neutrality and Block-level Access Lists (BAL) to streamline transaction access control.

Key Insights

Fusaka upgrade targets a major gas limit increase, enabling higher transaction density and scalability.
Glamsterdam upgrade will introduce ePBS and BAL, reshaping block construction and access logic for Ethereum.

Why It matters?

Developers have chances to test and optimize smart contracts on Sepolia and Hoodi for higher throughput, preparing for the increased gas ceiling. They should also begin adapting dApps to handle changes in transaction ordering and inclusion under ePBS, especially those sensitive to MEV dynamics.

Entrepreneurs can explore new product categories that benefit from higher transaction volume, such as real-time DeFi analytics or microtransaction platforms. They should also assess how ePBS may impact pricing models or execution guarantees in their applications.