Ethereum Foundation Warns of Potential Cryptocurrency Wallet Disruptions

cryptonews.ruPublished on 2026-08-18Last updated on 2026-08-18

Abstract

The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has warned of potential disruptions to crypto wallets and related software due to the upcoming "Glamsterdam" network upgrade, which will change Ethereum's gas fee model. In an August 17 announcement, developers cautioned that wallets, indexers, and fee estimation tools, particularly those with hardcoded maximum gas limits, risk breaking and will require updates. The issue stems from EIP-8037, introducing a new "state-gas" dimension for operations that create new state, such as sending ETH to a new address. While a standard transfer to an existing address will remain 21,000 gas, sending to a new address will incur an additional cost. Developers urged a review of smart contracts and code that assume 21,000 gas covers any ETH transfer or that calculate fees based solely on gas quantity. Developers are advised to test their systems on the public testnet "Plataberget," launched on August 13, 2026, where the Glamsterdam activation is scheduled for August 20. A one-month feedback and client software update phase will precede testing on the Sepolia and Holesky testnets before the mainnet launch.

The upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade will change the gas model, and some software risks malfunctioning. The Ethereum Foundation (EF) team warned about this on August 17.

According to the developers, wallets, indexers, and fee estimation tools could be at risk. Programmers were advised to test their systems on the public testnet Plataberget.

The EF emphasized tools with a "hard-coded maximum gas limit": such solutions, they stated, will stop working and require an update.

The issue is related to EIP-8037. The proposal adds a separate state-gas dimension for operations that create new state. A regular $ETH transfer to an existing address will keep its cost at 21,000 units, but sending coins to a new address will incur an additional charge.

Developers urged a review of smart contracts that assume the logic that 21,000 units covers any $ETH transfer, as well as code that calculates fees based solely on gas quantity.

According to Forkcast, Plataberget was launched on August 13, 2026. The activation of Glamsterdam on this testnet is scheduled for August 20. Before the mainnet launch, there will be a feedback and client software update phase, estimated to last one month, followed by testing on Sepolia and Hoodi.

Source: Forkcast.

Recall that in August, Buterin named quantum resistance and AI as priorities for Ethereum.

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Related Questions

QWhat upcoming Ethereum update has the Ethereum Foundation warned might cause wallet and software failures?

AThe upcoming Ethereum update named 'Glamsterdam'.

QAccording to the Ethereum Foundation, which specific types of software tools are most at risk from the Glamsterdam update?

AWallets, indexers, and fee estimation tools, especially those with a 'rigidly set maximum gas limit', are at risk.

QWhat key change does the EIP-8037 proposal introduce that necessitates updates to some software?

AEIP-8037 introduces a separate 'state-gas' dimension for operations that create new state, meaning sending ETH to a new address will incur an additional charge beyond the standard 21,000-unit base cost.

QOn what date was the Plataberget testnet, where developers are urged to test their systems, launched?

AThe Plataberget testnet was launched on August 13, 2026.

QWhat are the two priorities for Ethereum that Vitalik Buterin named in August, as mentioned in the article?

AVitalik Buterin named quantum resistance and AI as priorities for Ethereum.

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