Ethereum Delays Glamsterdam Testnet Fork Over Gas Security Risks

| decrypt.co
Ethereum developers have postponed the Glamsterdam hard fork on the Hoodi testnet after ChainSecurity identified security risks in proposed gas changes. The audit firm reported 13 real-world smart contract examples that could be affected, and is contacting the projects involved while the Ethereum Foundation assesses the wider exposure. The gas repricing and refund changes could make some failed external calls permanent, weakening protections against insufficient-gas griefing and preventing users from retrying an operation. Hoodi node operators were advised not to schedule the fork until updated client software is available. No new activation date has been announced. Glamsterdam has already activated on Sepolia, while a mainnet release had been tentatively targeted for early December in the earlier report and was later described as planned by the end of 2026. The Hoodi delay leaves the mainnet timeline uncertain and may prompt contract reviews, but its direct impact on ETH trading is likely limited unless the findings lead to a broader delay or reveal widespread exposure.
Neutral
In the short term, the Hoodi testnet delay may create some uncertainty around Ethereum’s upgrade schedule, but it does not change ETH’s supply, demand, or network operation on mainnet. Traders may monitor client updates, the Foundation’s assessment, and whether additional contracts are found to be vulnerable; these developments could cause temporary sentiment shifts. The postponement also demonstrates that developers are responding to security concerns before mainnet deployment, which may reduce the risk of a more damaging incident. Longer term, the price effect depends on whether the issue is resolved without materially delaying Glamsterdam or is found to affect a broad range of contracts. A wider impact or prolonged delay could weigh on confidence, while a timely fix and safe rollout could support confidence in Ethereum’s security process. Based on the information available, the direct price impact on ETH is therefore neutral.