What to know:
- Ethereum’s network speed could double with a proposal to reduce slot time from 12 seconds to 6 seconds.
- The proposal, part of EIP-7782, may be included in the Glamsterdam upgrade planned for 2026.
- While faster blocks improve user experience and market efficiency, they could challenge slower validators and increase bandwidth demands.
Ethereum could soon run at double its current speed. This comes from a fresh proposal put forth by core developer Barnabé Monnot, which suggests cutting the network’s slot time from 12 seconds to just 6 seconds. This change would effectively boost the number of blocks generated each minute.
The idea, linked with EIP-7782, is expected to be part of the upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade scheduled for 2026. Such proposals or discussions are typical in the blockchain realm and may not always transition to testing.
If approved, the plan would shorten the time across three significant consensus steps: block proposals (3 seconds), attestations (1.5 seconds), and aggregation (1.5 seconds), effectively reducing the entire cycle by 6 seconds.
Faster blocks mean quicker confirmations, more updated on-chain data for wallets and applications, and an overall smoother experience for users. In the growing decentralized finance (DeFi) sector, this could lead to tighter arbitrage opportunities, reduced trading fees, and increased liquidity, all contributing to better market efficiency.
However, not everyone may benefit from this shift. Some slower validators might face difficulties keeping pace with the new deadlines, while the demand for bandwidth could rise, and untested alterations may introduce risks to network stability.
The Glamsterdam hard fork is still in its initial planning phases, with a broader goal of enhancing gas efficiencies and protocol productivity.
