Ethereum’s ACDE Call #221: Fusaka Forges Ahead, Glamsterdam Innovates, and State Bloat Gets a Reality Check

Ethereum’s core developers dropped a treasure trove of updates during the All Core Developers Execution (ACDE) Call #221, revealing a network hell-bent on scaling, innovating, and tackling its ugliest problems. From the fast-approaching Fusaka upgrade to bold long-term plans with Glamsterdam, plus a clever proposal to curb state bloat, there’s a lot to unpack for both Ethereum diehards and curious onlookers.

• Fusaka Upgrade 2023: Testnet forks start October 1 on Holesky, with a mainnet gas limit boost to 60 million.
• Glamsterdam Roadmap: ePBS and BALs target October devnets for core efficiency and security gains.
• EIP-7819 Solution: SETDELEGATE instruction aims to slash state growth by cutting redundant code.

Fusaka Upgrade 2023: Scaling Ethereum for the Now

Ethereum’s next big step, the Fusaka upgrade, is barreling down the tracks with testnet forks kicking off on October 1. The rollout begins with Holesky, followed by Sepolia and Hoodi at two-week intervals, assuming no major disasters pop up. A bug bounty program is already live, and so far, no catastrophic flaws have been reported—a damn good sign for staying on schedule. Once the testnets give the green light, Ethereum’s mainnet will crank its default block gas limit to 60 million, doubling the post-Dencun cap of 30 million. Why does this matter? It’s a hard push to handle skyrocketing transaction demands, especially from layer-2 (L2) rollups—scaling solutions that bundle thousands of transactions into one Ethereum block to slash costs—and blob transactions, a dirt-cheap data storage trick introduced in the Dencun upgrade for L2s.

This gas limit hike is a smart play to keep Ethereum relevant as usage explodes, particularly in decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) ecosystems. But let’s not kid ourselves—pumping the gas limit could screw over smaller node operators if resource demands spiral out of control. Running a full node is already a pricey hobby for many, and decentralization hangs in the balance if only big players can keep up. Still, with testnets acting as the proving ground, there’s hope the devs have accounted for this. Fusaka isn’t just a patch; it’s Ethereum doubling down on being the backbone of Web3 scaling, building on Dencun’s groundwork that already cut L2 fees by orders of magnitude. For more detailed insights on the discussions surrounding this upgrade, check out the recent ACDE Call #221 highlights.

Glamsterdam: Reinventing Ethereum’s Core for Tomorrow

While Fusaka tackles today’s scaling headaches, Ethereum’s gaze is fixed on the horizon with the Glamsterdam roadmap. This ambitious plan zeros in on architectural overhauls, with features like BALs (likely block assembly optimizations) and enshrined Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS) slated for devnets in October. For the uninitiated, ePBS splits the roles of block proposers—who suggest new blocks for the chain—and builders—who actually craft them. The goal? Curb centralization risks by reducing reliance on setups like MEV-Boost, where a handful of builders currently dominate block construction and rake in profits from transaction ordering (aka Maximal Extractable Value). The latest ePBS spec, v1.6.0-beta.0, shows the devs are iterating at breakneck speed.

Glamsterdam’s vision is pure Ethereum—obsessed with efficiency and security while pushing the boundaries of what a blockchain can do. But let’s play skeptic for a second: could ePBS, meant to spread power, ironically funnel it to a few well-resourced builders if the economics don’t pan out for smaller players? And what if implementation bugs slow down block times or mess with consensus? These aren’t just theoretical gripes; they’re real risks for a network juggling as many moving parts as Ethereum. Still, this kind of ballsy experimentation is why Ethereum stays ahead of the pack, and if Glamsterdam delivers, it could cement the network’s edge in a cutthroat layer-1 race.

EIP-7819: A Diet Plan for Ethereum’s State Bloat Crisis

Now, let’s talk about Ethereum’s dirty little secret: state bloat. Every transaction, smart contract, and data snippet adds to the blockchain’s “state”—think of it as a massive database every full node must store and update to keep the network humming. As this database balloons, running a node turns into a rich man’s game, threatening the very decentralization Ethereum champions. Enter EIP-7819, a proposal from ACDE #221 that introduces the SETDELEGATE instruction for the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). This nifty idea lets contracts reference existing code via delegation accounts instead of duplicating it every time. Data from the call dropped a bombshell: 89.1% of contracts are deployed through factory contracts, often copy-pasting the same bytecode unnecessarily. SETDELEGATE could gut this redundancy, potentially shrinking state size by a hefty margin if widely adopted.

This isn’t just a tech fix—it’s a lifeline for keeping Ethereum accessible to small node operators, preserving the decentralized ethos we fight for. But here’s the rub: will developers actually use it? Changing entrenched coding habits in an ecosystem as sprawling as Ethereum’s is like convincing a cat to fetch—good luck with that. If adoption flops, state bloat remains a ticking time bomb. Alternatives like state expiry (deleting old data) or pruning have been floated for years, but they’re messy and divisive. Why haven’t they been fast-tracked? Likely because they risk breaking backward compatibility or pissing off dApp developers. EIP-7819 feels like a safer bet, but it’s no silver bullet. Ethereum’s community needs to rally behind it, or we’re just kicking the can down the road.

Governance Shifts: Steering the Ethereum Ship

On the governance side, Ethereum is tweaking its playbook while navigating some personnel changes. Tim Beiko, a heavyweight in core development, is taking a temporary leave from leading ACDE calls, with ansgar.eth stepping in until year-end. This swap showcases Ethereum’s depth—no single person holds the keys, a true nod to decentralization. Meanwhile, the EIP Champion role is getting formalized via PR #10391 on GitHub, clarifying who’s responsible for pushing proposals from idea to reality. And to keep focus razor-sharp, new EIP submissions (from Consideration for Inclusion to Scheduled for Inclusion) are on hold until Fusaka ships, with EIP-7819 sneaking through due to its urgency on state bloat.

This laser focus on shipping critical upgrades is a solid move, but let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: could pausing new EIPs signal creeping control in a network that prides itself on open innovation? It’s a fair question, especially as Ethereum scales and coordination gets trickier. Formalizing roles like EIP Champion helps avoid bottlenecks, ensuring upgrades don’t get bogged down in drama or disarray. A tweet from Pooja Ranjan (ranjan.eth) captured the call’s packed agenda with crystal clarity:

“All Core Devs – Execution (ACDE) #221 is Live! Agenda: 💠Fusaka – Bug bounty – Testnet releases (Meta EIP) – 60M mainnet gas limit default – EIP status updates 💠Glamsterdam – EPBS/BALs – PFI deadline 🔜 – Update EIP-7723 (EIP Champion role)” – Pooja Ranjan | ranjan.eth (@poojaranjan19)

Ethereum vs. the World: Staying Ahead or Overcomplicating?

Zooming out, Ethereum remains the 800-pound gorilla of smart contract platforms, powering DeFi juggernauts and NFT marketplaces while L2s multiply like rabbits. Fusaka’s gas limit boost and Glamsterdam’s ePBS push scream commitment to scaling, while EIP-7819 shows a rare focus on long-term sustainability. But rivals like Solana, with blistering transaction speeds, and Avalanche, with tailored subnets, are breathing down its neck. Community sentiment on platforms like Reddit’s r/ethereum is cautiously hyped—many cheer Fusaka’s immediate wins but worry state bloat could erode decentralization if fixes like SETDELEGATE don’t stick.

Then there’s the Bitcoin angle. As Bitcoin maxis, we’ve got to admit Ethereum fills niches Bitcoin doesn’t touch—smart contracts and dApps aren’t Satoshi’s bag, and that’s fine. Bitcoin’s laser focus on being a store of value keeps it simple, while Ethereum juggles a thousand moving parts. But damn, does all this complexity risk tripping over itself? Every upgrade is a gamble, and delays or bugs could hand competitors an opening. Ethereum’s strength is its relentless tinkering and community grit—let’s see if that holds under pressure.

Key Takeaways and Questions on Ethereum’s Latest Moves

• What’s the big deal with the Fusaka upgrade for Ethereum users?
  It ramps up transaction capacity with a 60 million gas limit, making L2 transactions cheaper and faster, though smaller node operators might struggle with the added load.
• Could Glamsterdam’s ePBS overhaul Ethereum’s security?
  It might, by splitting proposers and builders to curb centralization, but botched execution or power consolidation among big builders could introduce fresh risks.
• Will EIP-7819 fix Ethereum’s state bloat problem?
  It’s a sharp idea to cut redundant code storage, but only if developers adopt it widely—otherwise, it’s just a fancy theory.
• Why do governance updates like the EIP Champion role matter?
  They streamline coordination as Ethereum scales, preventing critical upgrades from stalling amid chaos or ego clashes.
• Does Ethereum keep its layer-1 crown with these changes?
  For now, yes—Fusaka and Glamsterdam maintain its edge, but flawless execution is non-negotiable with Solana and others hot on its tail.

Looking Ahead: Ethereum’s High-Stakes Game

Ethereum’s journey is a tightrope walk between innovation and overreach. Fusaka’s testnet forks, Glamsterdam’s bold restructuring, and EIP-7819’s quiet genius show a network wrestling with scalability, sustainability, and decentralization all at once. What’s next? Full sharding—splitting the blockchain into manageable chunks for even more throughput—and state expiry debates loom large, each with their own minefields. As Bitcoin keeps its no-frills vibe, Ethereum’s endless evolution is both its superpower and its Achilles’ heel. This isn’t just tech for tech’s sake; it’s a battle for freedom, privacy, and a financial system that doesn’t bow to the old guard. Ethereum’s playing for keeps, but victory isn’t guaranteed. Buckle up—this ride’s only getting wilder.