Ethlabs Recommends Holding Off on Glamsterdam Specs and Hoodi Testnet Scheduling
TREE NEWS reports: Ethereum research firm Ethlabs has advised the core developer community to refrain from modifying the Glamsterdam upgrade specifications or scheduling the Hoodi testnet upgrade until audit results are public and a clear stance is formed. The final decision rests with the Ethereum All Core Developers (ACD) meeting. Ethlabs noted that the Ethereum Foundation commissioned ChainSecurity and Dedaub to review the potential impact of EIP-8037 and EIP-8038 on already-deployed smart contracts, with reports expected by November 16. A public Q&A will be held during the November 16 ACD testing call, and the November 19 execution layer meeting will discuss the findings and possible next steps.
Why EIP-8037 and EIP-8038 Matter
EIP-8037 and EIP-8038 are understood to touch on state rent and storage-related gas cost adjustments—areas that directly affect how existing smart contracts behave on-chain. Any change to gas schedules or state accounting can have cascading effects on deployed DeFi protocols, NFT contracts, and infrastructure tools. The Ethereum Foundation’s decision to bring in ChainSecurity and Dedaub underscores the sensitivity of altering economic parameters that underpin billions of dollars in on-chain value.
The Glamsterdam upgrade, which combines elements of the Glamsterdam and Amsterdam roadmaps, is a significant step in Ethereum’s scaling and efficiency journey. However, the complexity of backward compatibility with deployed contracts means that hasty specification changes could introduce unintended regressions. Ethlabs’ cautious stance reflects a broader ethos in Ethereum governance: measure twice, cut once.
Industry Implications
For DeFi protocols and infrastructure providers, the delay signals that the core developer process is prioritizing safety over speed. Projects that have already begun preparing for Glamsterdam may need to adjust timelines. The Hoodi testnet, which serves as a staging ground for upgrade testing, will remain on hold until the audit outcomes are clear. This could push back the broader testing and deployment schedule for the upgrade, but it also reduces the risk of costly post-deployment fixes.
Market participants should watch the November 16 and November 19 meetings closely. Any indication of unresolved issues in the audit could lead to further delays, while a clean report could accelerate the process. The transparency of the public Q&A is a positive signal for Ethereum’s governance, allowing stakeholders to voice concerns directly.
Forward-Looking Perspective
Ethereum’s upgrade cadence has historically balanced innovation with stability. The Glamsterdam delay, if it materializes, would be a prudent pause rather than a setback. As the ecosystem matures, rigorous auditing and community review become even more critical. Investors and builders should view this as a sign of institutional-grade diligence, not weakness. The coming weeks will reveal whether the audit clears the path for a smooth upgrade or uncovers issues that require deeper remediation.
