Following the Pectra upgrade in May, Ethereum is preparing for its next major hard fork, Fusaka, projected for early November 2025. This upgrade aims to enhance network functionality by improving scalability and stability.
What Is the Fusaka Upgrade?
Fusaka focuses on backend technical changes known as Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) to improve network performance without affecting smart contracts. Notable changes include: - Faster data handling - Improved spam protection - Fairer gas pricing - New cryptography support The gas limit will also rise, starting near 45 million units and moving up to 150 million.
Testing and Release Schedule
Developers began testing the upgrade in July 2025 with a private devnet. Public testnets are scheduled to run in September and October, with the mainnet upgrade set to occur on November 5, coinciding with the Devconnect conference in Buenos Aires. Fusaka is smaller in scope than other upgrades, allowing for faster and safer testing.
Implications of the Upgrade for Users and Developers
For developers, Fusaka means more transactions per block and better performance for rollups. For users, the effects will be subtle; fees may become steadier, and transactions may be cleared faster during busy periods. However, higher gas limits could increase the workload for validators, which may affect smaller operators, though the upgrade aims to maintain network security and decentralization.
The Fusaka upgrade prepares Ethereum for larger changes anticipated in 2026, including the planned Glamsterdam upgrade that could reduce block times to six seconds, effectively doubling network speed.
