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Ethereum increased its block gas limit from 45M to 60M, boosting base-layer capacity
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The change followed validator approval and a year of ecosystem work on throughput
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The upgrade comes days before the Fusaka hard fork, which introduces PeerDAS
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Developers expect more targeted scaling adjustments through 2026
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L2s hit record throughput as Ethereum prepares for major data availability changes
Higher Gas Limit Signals Bigger Base-Layer Capacity
Ethereum’s block gas limit has been raised from 45 million to 60 million, a step that increases how many transactions can be included in each block. The adjustment activated automatically on Nov. 25 after more than half of validators signaled support. Ethereum Foundation researcher Toni Wahrstätter called the increase the result of a year-long push to expand the network’s base-layer capacity.
Developers say the increase is possible thanks to protocol safeguards from EIP-7623, client optimizations, and positive testnet results that showed stable block propagation even with heavier load.
Vitalik Highlights More Targeted Scaling Ahead
Vitalik Buterin commented that future scaling will likely involve a mix of higher gas limits and increased gas costs for computationally heavy operations. This approach would help keep block sizes efficient while allowing further throughput gains.
At the same time, Ethereum’s broader ecosystem is seeing record activity. Rollups processed roughly 31,000 TPS over the last 24 hours, led by Lighter, Base, and other scaling networks.
Fusaka Hard Fork Coming Next Week
The timing aligns closely with the upcoming Fusaka hard fork, targeted for Dec. 3. Fusaka introduces PeerDAS, a major redesign of data availability sampling that developers consider essential for next-stage L2 scaling. The upgrade also includes security improvements, client updates, and consensus refinements.
