Ethereum’s core developers have announced the next big upgrade after Glamsterdam, called Hegota, planned for 2026. This upgrade shows Ethereum’s focus on making the network stronger, faster, and more reliable through clear and well-planned improvements.
Ethereum Names Hegota as the next major upgrade, bringing improvements to both the execution layer (Bogota) and consensus layer (Heze). The upgrade aims to enhance network efficiency and scalability. Key goals include increasing gas throughput, implementing Verkle Trees to reduce storage requirements, and optimizing state management to make the network less reliant on Layer-2 solutions.
By combining these updates, Hegota strengthens Ethereum’s infrastructure while ensuring smoother and more reliable performance for developers and users alike.
What is Hegota?
Hegota is the name of Ethereum’s next upgrade after Glamsterdam. The name comes from two parts: Bogota, which represents improvements to the execution layer, and Heze, which represents updates to the consensus layer.
Hegota shows Ethereum’s careful, step-by-step approach to improving the network. The main plan for the upgrade, called an Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP), is expected to be finalized by February 2026, but developers are still in the early stages of planning.
Goals of the Hegota Upgrade
The Hegota upgrade is designed to make the Ethereum network faster, more efficient, and scalable. One of its main goals is to increase gas throughput from 20 megagas per second to 60 megagas per second using important EIPs like 7904 and 7976. Another focus is the implementation of Verkle Trees, a smart data structure that reduces the storage load on nodes while keeping block validation accurate.
Developers are also looking at state control mechanisms, which could make the network less dependent on Layer-2 solutions like zkSync and Base. This is key as Ethereum continues to grow, facing higher transaction volumes and network congestion.
Ethereum’s Twice-Yearly Upgrade Rhythm
The announcement of Hegota highlights Ethereum’s dedication to a predictable, twice-yearly upgrade schedule. Following the Pectra and Fusaka updates in 2025, this approach ensures that improvements are rolled out steadily, reducing risks and allowing developers to focus on the most important enhancements.
Glamsterdam will launch earlier in 2026, with Hegota expected to follow later in the year, keeping Ethereum on track with its structured development plan.
Network Performance and Market Impact
Despite technical progress, Ethereum’s on-chain data shows some challenges. Weekly active addresses fell to 324,000 in December, down from nearly 440,000 earlier in the quarter, indicating lower network engagement.
Transaction volumes have also decreased, showing reduced activity from both retail and institutional users. Price pressures have risen after US spot Ethereum ETFs halted trading, causing over $3 billion in outflows since mid-December.
Large holders, or whale wallets, added to the selling pressure, recently moving more than 28,500 ETH worth around $80 million. As a result, Ethereum remains under $3,000, trading near $2,959, although it saw a 2.9% increase in the last 24 hours.
Long-Term Roadmap Alignment
Hegota is an important part of Ethereum’s long-term development roadmap, which includes major phases such as The Surge, The Verge, The Purge, and The Splurge. The Surge focuses on scaling the network using rollups, while The Verge aims to improve statelessness and enable light-client verification.
This makes the integration of Verkle Trees in Hegota a natural step for Ethereum’s growth. Future phases will work on cleaning up historical data and simplifying the protocol to ensure better performance and efficiency. Overall, Hegota strengthens Ethereum’s network and aligns perfectly with its ongoing plan for sustainable, incremental upgrades.
