Ethereum Delays Glamsterdam Upgrade Over Security Risks
Ethereum developers have delayed the planned Glamsterdam upgrade on the Hoodi test network after security experts found risks linked to new gas rules. The upgrade was due to take place on October 26, 2026. However, the team chose to delay the plan to study how the proposed changes could affect smart contracts that already run on Ethereum.
The decision came after a review by ChainSecurity, a blockchain security firm. Its research showed that some proposed gas rule changes could affect how smart contracts deal with failed tasks. In certain cases, a contract could save a failed result even when its code was meant to allow another attempt.
The delay does not mean that Ethereum’s main network has suffered an attack. The concern relates to how current smart contracts may behave under the new rules if the upgrade takes place. Developers want to study these risks before they move ahead.
The Ethereum Foundation confirmed on October 22 that the Hoodi upgrade had been postponed. It did not set a new date for the test. The decision has also added doubt to the wider timeline for Glamsterdam, one of Ethereum’s major planned network upgrades.
What Is the Glamsterdam Upgrade?
Glamsterdam is a planned Ethereum network upgrade that aims to improve how the blockchain handles transactions and creates new blocks. It combines changes to the execution layer, called Amsterdam, with changes to the consensus layer, called Gloas.
In simple terms, Ethereum has several parts that work together to process transactions and keep the network safe. The execution layer handles smart contracts and transactions. The consensus layer helps network validators agree on the correct state of the blockchain.
Glamsterdam aims to make these parts work better together. Its plans include a new system for block creation, better access to blockchain data, and changes to the way the network charges gas fees.
These changes are important because Ethereum supports many services, such as decentralised finance apps, token transfers, digital assets, and other smart contract tools. As more services use the network, Ethereum needs ways to improve capacity without making the system harder to run or less safe.
The upgrade first went live on the Sepolia test network on October 6, 2026. Hoodi was set to be the next major test before developers could decide on a mainnet schedule. The delay means more work is needed before that next step.
Why Did Developers Delay the Hoodi Test?
The main reason for the delay is a possible problem with the way new gas rules may affect existing smart contracts.
Ethereum uses gas to measure the computing work needed for a transaction. Each operation on the network has a gas cost. Users pay fees based on the gas used by their transactions, while gas limits help control how much work a transaction or block can use.
The proposed Glamsterdam upgrade includes changes to these costs. The aim is to make gas fees better match the real resources that Ethereum uses. However, a change to gas rules can also affect the way older smart contracts behave.
Many contracts rely on set gas limits and certain rules about what happens when a task fails. If the amount of gas left after a failed task changes, the contract may behave in a way its creator did not expect.
Developers decided to delay the Hoodi test to examine this issue before the new rules move ahead. The Ethereum Foundation said the delay would allow further study of how EIP-8037 interacts with smart contracts on the main network.
The delay is a safety step. It gives developers more time to check the effects of the proposed changes and decide whether they need to revise the code or adjust the rules.
What Are EIP-8037 and EIP-8038?
Two proposals are at the centre of the concern: EIP-8037 and EIP-8038.
EIP-8037 changes the gas cost of the creation of new state on Ethereum. State refers to the data that the network must store and maintain, such as account details and smart contract storage. When a contract creates new records, Ethereum must keep that data as part of its current state.
The proposal aims to make the cost of new state better reflect the resources it uses. This can help control the growth of Ethereum’s database as the network handles more activity.
EIP-8038 changes the cost of access to state data. Together, these proposals alter some of the gas rules that smart contracts use when they carry out tasks.
The concern is that some contracts rely on the old gas costs when they decide whether an operation has failed. A change to those costs could affect the result, even if the contract code itself remains the same.
ChainSecurity found cases where the proposed rules could affect existing contracts. The firm reported 13 real-world examples of contracts that may face risks and said it was working with the affected projects through responsible disclosure.
This does not prove that every contract has a problem. It shows why developers need a careful review before they adopt the new rules.
How Could Gas Changes Affect Smart Contracts?
A smart contract is a set of rules stored on a blockchain. It can carry out tasks when certain conditions are met, without the need for a person to approve each step by hand.
For example, a finance app may use a smart contract to manage a loan, process a payment, or allow a user to claim funds. The contract must also deal with cases where a task fails.
Some contracts have rules that allow them to catch a failed task and move to another step. Others may record the failure or let the user try again later.
The gas issue matters because a contract may expect a failed task to leave too little gas for another action. Under the proposed rules, the amount of gas left could be different from what the contract expects.
As a result, a contract may have enough gas to complete a step that its code was meant to stop. In some cases, it could record a failed task as final. This may prevent a user from trying again or completing a valid action.
There is also a risk in the opposite direction. A task that should work under the old gas rules may fail if the new rules require more gas than the contract expects.
These are possible effects of the proposed changes, not proof that all Ethereum smart contracts are unsafe. The exact risk depends on the code and how it uses gas. That is why a review of affected contracts is important before the upgrade takes place.
What Is Insufficient Gas Griefing?
One of the risks raised by ChainSecurity relates to a type of attack known as insufficient gas griefing.
In simple terms, this can happen when a person or contract deliberately provides too little gas for a task to complete. The aim is to make a valid operation fail or cause a problem for another user or service.
Some smart contracts have safety checks to deal with such cases. These checks may depend on how much gas remains after a task fails. If the rules change, those checks may no longer work as the contract creator expected.
For example, imagine a contract that lets a user claim a reward. If a related task fails, the contract may be designed to cancel the full transaction so the user can try again. But if the new gas rules leave enough gas for part of the failure process to finish, the contract may record the failure before the full transaction stops.
That could lead to an unexpected result, such as a user who cannot repeat a valid claim.
The concern is not that every failed transaction will cause a loss. The issue is that certain contracts may rely on gas behaviour that changes under Glamsterdam. Developers must find these cases and assess whether a fix is needed.
What Happens to the Planned 200 Million Gas Limit?
The Hoodi upgrade was also set to raise the test network’s gas limit to 200 million at the same time as Glamsterdam’s activation.
A gas limit sets a cap on the amount of gas that can be used in a block. A higher limit can allow more work to fit into each block, although the exact effect depends on the type of transactions and the resources required to process them.
The planned rise was part of the Hoodi test schedule. However, the postponement removed that gas-limit change as well as the planned upgrade.
This means Hoodi will not follow the old October 26 activation plan. Developers first need to settle the gas-related concerns and set a new date for the test.
The Ethereum Foundation has also told Hoodi node and validator operators to check their software and follow updated instructions. Any client setup that still uses the old activation schedule may need a change to match the revised plan.
The delay does not undo past Hoodi transactions or reverse the history of the test network. It changes the plan for a future upgrade.
What Does This Mean for Ethereum Mainnet?
The most important point for regular Ethereum users is that the delay concerns Hoodi, not a live Glamsterdam upgrade on the main network.
The Ethereum Foundation has not set a date for Glamsterdam on mainnet. The Hoodi test was meant to help developers assess the upgrade before they decide when it should reach the main network.
The delay therefore adds uncertainty to the timeline. Developers need to examine the gas changes, work with affected projects, and make sure that client software follows the final rules.
The findings do not mean that existing Ethereum smart contracts are currently under attack because of Glamsterdam. The proposed changes have not been activated on mainnet as part of this upgrade.
ETH holders do not need to take any action because of the Hoodi delay alone. The main task is for developers, test network operators, and client teams to follow official updates.
For apps that rely on smart contracts, the key issue is whether their code remains safe under the proposed rules. Affected teams may need to test their contracts and make changes before a future upgrade.
Could the Delay Affect ETH Price?
A delay to a major Ethereum upgrade can draw attention from traders because upgrades are often linked to hopes for better network performance and future use.
However, the delay does not by itself prove that ETH will rise or fall. Crypto prices react to many factors, including market demand, global economic news, interest rates, and changes in investor confidence.
Some traders may view the delay as a short-term setback because the upgrade timeline is now less clear. Others may see it as a sensible step that puts safety ahead of speed.
The effect on ETH will depend on how the market views the issue and how quickly developers find a clear path forward. A delay can cause doubt, but a careful fix may help protect trust in the network over the long term.
Investors should avoid treating the news as a clear buy or sell signal. The postponement concerns a planned test, and there is no confirmed mainnet activation date yet.
What Happens Next?
Ethereum developers must now continue their review of EIP-8037, EIP-8038, and their effect on existing smart contracts. The team will need to assess the reported cases, decide whether changes are required, and make sure that the revised rules work as intended.
The Ethereum Foundation has not announced a replacement date for the Hoodi activation. It has also not set a mainnet date for Glamsterdam.
Hoodi node and validator operators should check the latest guidance from their client teams. They should not rely on older instructions that still refer to the October 26 activation.
Application developers should also review official technical updates and test any contracts that may rely on the gas rules under review. A new schedule should come only after the teams have a clearer view of the risks and the required changes.
The next steps will show whether the upgrade needs a small adjustment or a wider review. Until then, the timeline remains uncertain.
Final Thoughts
Ethereum’s decision to delay Glamsterdam on the Hoodi test network highlights the need for care before major blockchain changes reach users. The planned October 26 upgrade was postponed after ChainSecurity raised concerns about how new gas rules could affect existing smart contracts.
The main focus is on EIP-8037 and EIP-8038, which change the cost of state creation and access. These changes aim to make Ethereum’s use of network resources more accurate, but they may also affect contracts that rely on the old gas rules.
ChainSecurity reported 13 real-world cases for further review. Developers have chosen to study the issue before they set a new test date. The planned 200 million gas limit increase on Hoodi has also been removed from the schedule.
For now, there is no confirmed date for the Hoodi test or the Glamsterdam mainnet upgrade. The delay does not mean that ETH holders need to act or that the main network has suffered an attack. It means developers need more time to check the rules and protect existing apps.
A safe upgrade is more important than a fast one. The outcome of this review will help determine when Glamsterdam can move to its next stage.
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This article is for information only and does not constitute financial advice.
