Ethereum Glamsterdam Upgrade Gets Fix Ahead of Sepolia Capacity Test

Ethereum developers released a Prysm software update ahead of the Glamsterdam upgrade’s scheduled Sepolia activation on October 6. The release sets a default block gas limit of 200 million, replacing a 60 million default that could have left some validators testing the network at lower capacity. 

The trial will examine how Ethereum’s software handles a larger workload before developers set a mainnet upgrade schedule.

Prysm Update Removes the Lower Default

Prysm released version 7.2.1 on October 5, adding Sepolia’s planned gas limit schedule to its validator software. Validators propose new blocks, while gas measures the computing work those blocks can contain. The updated default takes effect when the test network activates Glamsterdam.

The release notes state that 'validators default to a 200M gas limit' from the scheduled fork. Operators can still choose another limit through their settings. Therefore, the update changes the default rather than requiring every validator to propose blocks with the same capacity.

The earlier Prysm 7.2.0 release already supported the upgrade. Its configuration nevertheless retained a 60 million gas default after activation unless operators adjusted it manually. Without that adjustment, participating validators could have proposed lower-capacity blocks, reducing the workload exercised during the trial.

The distinction concerns test configuration rather than whether the older release recognizes the upgrade. Operators using version 7.2.0 can configure the higher limit explicitly, while version 7.2.1 includes the schedule automatically.

Ethereum Glamsterdam Tests More Work per Block

Sepolia’s planned limit is more than three times its previous 60 million setting. A higher gas limit allows each block to contain more computing work, including transfers and activity involving applications. It does not represent a fixed transaction count since different operations consume different amounts of gas.

The test aims to establish whether validators can reliably process blocks at the higher capacity. Blocks produced with lower limits would provide less evidence about performance under the intended workload. The 200 million setting applies to Sepolia, where developers test changes using tokens without real monetary value.

Gas capacity also differs from the amount of work a block actually contains. Setting a higher limit provides room for additional activity, but transactions must use that room for a block to exercise the available capacity. The trial therefore concerns both the configured limit and network performance under load.

Larger workloads place greater demands on the computers maintaining the network. Developers use test networks to examine those demands before introducing changes to Ethereum itself. A successful rehearsal would provide technical evidence, rather than establish a guaranteed reduction in transaction fees.

What Happens Next on Sepolia

Glamsterdam is scheduled to activate on Sepolia at 13:53:36 UTC on October 6. Before activation, node operators must install compatible software for both the transaction-processing and network-agreement parts of their systems. Validators must also update their beacon node and validator software.

After activation, application developers can check how the revised rules affect contracts and transaction cost estimates. Changes to gas accounting may require adjustments where applications rely on fixed assumptions about computing costs.

The Ethereum Foundation has not set activation dates for Hoodi or mainnet. It will announce those schedules separately once client teams decide them. Ethereum mainnet users and ETH holders do not need to take action for this Sepolia upgrade.

At the time of writing, ETH traded near USD 2,711.90, down 0.68% over the previous 24 hours. The price stayed above support around USD 2,689- USD 2,708 and below resistance near USD 2,736. A move below this support range could bring USD 2,650 into focus, while a rise above resistance would put USD 2,800 back on watch.

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