TLDR

  • Ethereum has carried out its second Blob Parameter-Only hard fork to enhance scalability and transaction processing capabilities.
  • The per-block blob limit has been increased from 15 to 21, enabling greater data storage within each Ethereum block.
  • Each blob can hold 128 kilobytes of data, meaning blocks can now store up to 2.6 megabytes of temporary data.
  • The blob target has been raised from 10 to 14 to facilitate more frequent and efficient data processing across the network.
  • The upgrade aims to boost Layer 2 network efficiency and lower gas fees during periods of high usage.

Ethereum has finalized its second Blob Parameter-Only (BPO) hard fork, lifting the blob limit from 15 to 21 this weekend, advancing its scalability goals, improving throughput, and supporting the growth of Layer 2 networks across the ecosystem.

Ethereum Raises Blob Limit, Targets Faster Data Handling

Ethereum executed the second phase of the BPO hard fork at 1:01:11 UTC on its mainnet. Developers increased the maximum number of blobs per block from 15 to 21. Each blob holds 128 kilobytes of data, enabling blocks to carry up to 2.6 megabytes of temporary data.

This adjustment allows Ethereum to handle more Layer 2 transactions by allocating additional space for off-chain data. Layer 2 networks batch multiple transactions into blobs before submitting them to Ethereum’s base layer. This approach enhances speed and reduces competition for block space.

Developers also raised the blob target from 10 to 14, aiming to utilize more blobs per block on average. The target reflects the number of blobs Ethereum typically seeks to maintain in operation. By incrementally increasing this value, the network balances capacity with system demands.

The hard fork aims to stabilize gas fees by alleviating network congestion. More blobs mean less competition for mainnet space, leading developers to anticipate reduced pressure on base-layer transaction fees.

Upgrade Supports Layer 2 Networks and Security Goals

Ethereum developers stated the upgrade strengthens support for Layer 2 networks by improving data flow from rollups to the mainnet. “Blobs increase data throughput without impacting full node performance,” a developer noted during a post-fork review.

With more blobs available, rollups can transmit larger volumes of data at once. This reduces delays and enhances Layer 2 independence. More reliable rollup performance could help sustain lower gas fees during traffic surges.

Network operators must meet stringent hardware standards to process the increased blob traffic. Developers are focused on balancing performance with reliability, continuing to prioritize network security as Ethereum scales further.

The BPO upgrade supports Ethereum’s goal of decentralizing activity by enabling smoother off-chain processing. It equips Layer 2 networks with tools to manage growing demand while maintaining secure interaction with Ethereum’s base chain.

Developers Consider Raising Gas Limit and Prepare Glamarsterdam Fork

At the Ethereum All Core Developers meeting on December 15, the gas limit was reviewed. Developers discussed increasing it from 60 million to 80 million, a change that would allow blocks to include more actions and transactions.

This adjustment would further enhance Ethereum’s transaction capacity. Developers believe it could help lower gas fees during busy periods, as greater capacity would reduce user competition for block space.

Later in 2026, Ethereum plans to launch the Glamarsterdam hard fork. This upgrade will introduce perfect parallel processing, a mechanism enabling Ethereum to handle multiple transactions simultaneously.

Glamarsterdam will gradually raise the gas limit up to 200 million and include Block Access Lists under EIP-7928, which help nodes identify data dependencies more efficiently.

Perfect parallelism will reduce bottlenecks in sequential processing, allowing Ethereum to manage growing activity without slowing block production. This feature will bring Ethereum closer to achieving its scalability objectives.

With the BPO upgrade completed and Glamarsterdam in preparation, Ethereum continues to pursue broader improvements in throughput and processing. Developers remain focused on performance upgrades through planned protocol changes.