Protocol Cluster Outlines Proposals for Ethereum Hegotá Upgrade

The Protocol Cluster, which coordinates research for the Ethereum Foundation, has published an internal ranking of roughly 62 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) for the Hegotá upgrade. This follows the upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade, which is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Client teams are required to submit their own ranked preferences by September 10, 2026. These submissions will be compared against the Protocol Cluster's list to narrow the selection. Historically, Ethereum upgrades include between 5 and 15 proposals, indicating that most of the current candidates will likely be deferred or removed.

The Protocol Cluster also released a steelman list documenting areas of disagreement among stakeholders. Additionally, the independent research lab Ethlabs published its own tier list on August 16, highlighting three specific proposals: FOCIL (EIP-7805), Quick Slots (EIP-8198), and Frame Transactions (EIP-8141).

These proposals address distinct infrastructure needs. FOCIL aims to improve censorship resistance by creating forced inclusion lists to counter the influence of block builders. Quick Slots is intended to enhance transaction processing user experience, while Frame Transactions focuses on preparing Ethereum's cryptographic foundations for quantum computing.

A public Reddit AMA is scheduled for September 16, where the Protocol Cluster intends to address community questions regarding the direction of the upgrade. No specific date for the Hegotá hard fork has been established.