Ethereum Upgrade Glamsterdam Brings New Fee Structure for Transactions

The Ethereum network is undergoing a significant change with its upcoming upgrade, Glamsterdam. This new update breaks one of the oldest rules on the network, affecting how users pay for transactions.

Currently, sending Ether (ETH) to any account costs 21,000 gas units, regardless of whether it's an existing or new address. However, under Glamsterdam, sending to a previously used account will still cost 21,000 gas units. But paying a brand-new address will incur a higher fee due to the network creating and storing a permanent record for that address.

The additional charge is set at 183,600 state gas units. This distinction has been in place since the early days of Ethereum, but it's only now being explicitly addressed with Glamsterdam.

Wallet makers, blockchain trackers, and fee calculators are advised to update their software accordingly, as they may reject valid payments or quote fees that come up short if they don't adapt. The upgrade will roll out in phases, starting on Thursday on the practice version of Ethereum called Platåberget.