Ethereum developers announced that sending ETH will no longer always cost 21,000 gas units, as the network introduces a new fee structure under the Glamsterdam upgrade. Existing accounts will retain the 21,000 gas unit cost, while new accounts will incur an additional 183,600 state gas units. Software relying on the fixed 21,000 figure must update to avoid processing errors.
The Glamsterdam upgrade, part of Ethereum’s ongoing efforts to refine its fee model, will initially be tested on Platåberget, Sepolia, and Hoodi networks. These test environments, which use non-valuable tokens, allow developers to evaluate changes without affecting real users. The Ethereum Foundation, which oversees the network’s maintenance, has not specified dates for the upgrade’s deployment across mainnet.
The shift in fee structure reflects broader changes in how Ethereum accounts are managed, with new accounts requiring additional resources to store data on the blockchain. This adjustment may influence transaction costs for users creating accounts for the first time, though existing users will see no immediate impact. Developers of decentralised applications and wallets are being urged to update their systems to align with the new parameters.
The upgrade follows a series of technical improvements aimed at enhancing Ethereum’s scalability and efficiency. While the exact timeline for the mainnet rollout remains unclear, the testnet phases provide a framework for assessing potential challenges. Industry observers note that such changes are critical for maintaining Ethereum’s position as a leading smart contract platform.
Written by Roger Slater
Technology Desk
