Ethereum Expands Data Capacity with Second Blob Parameter Hard Fork

Highlights:

• The blob parameter hard fork lets Ethereum handle more rollup data without putting pressure on the main network.
• Developers always watch blob targets closely because they show how much the network can safely handle over time.
• Ethereum will keep scaling in 2026 with higher gas limits and the planned Glamsterdam upgrade.

Ethereum activated its second Blob Parameter Only fork late Tuesday to increase data handling capacity across the network. The upgrade raised the blob target from 10 to 14 and the blob limit from 15 to 21. As a result, Ethereum can support more rollup data without stressing the base layer. Developers see the change as a measured response to steady growth in application usage.

ETHEREUM BOOSTS SCALABILITY AS BLOB LIMIT RISES TO 21 IN SECOND BPO HARD FORK

Ethereum has increased its blob limit to 21 in the second BPO hard fork, allowing more rollup data per block and improving throughput.

This matters because higher blob capacity directly lowers rollup… pic.twitter.com/dShvThUhKt

— Crypto Town Hall (@Crypto_TownHall) January 7, 2026

Blobs store transaction data from Layer 2 rollups for a limited period on Ethereum. This design allows independent verification without trusted intermediaries. Consequently, rollups can process transactions off-chain while relying on Ethereum for security. Networks such as Base, Optimism, Arbitrum, and Mantle use this mechanism today.

Zero-knowledge rollups also rely on blobs for data publication and verification. zkSync Era, StarkNet, and Scroll use similar methods to preserve privacy and security. Therefore, blob capacity directly affects how these systems scale. Ethereum developers expect rollup activity to grow steadily over time.

The fork went live at 1:01:11 UTC and executed without disruption. Notably, it also shows that Ethereum prefers gradual expansion over radical transitions. Developers would like to know the performance indicators first, as opposed to increasing limits rashly. This model will safeguard node operators and facilitate the expansion of the ecosystem in general.

BPO2 is live! Blob limit is now 21 🚀 pic.twitter.com/SFB7GjRPwg

— terence (@terencechain) January 7, 2026

Blob Parameter Hard Fork Raises Targets as Demand Stays Below Capacity

Developers focus more on the blob target than the blob limit when assessing network health. The target reflects sustainable operating levels under normal conditions. If usage stays near the limit for long periods, nodes could face bandwidth strain. Therefore, the higher target serves as a safety signal rather than a throughput cap.

Each blob holds 128 kilobytes of data. With a 21-blob limit, Ethereum can now process about 2.6 megabytes per block. This capacity allows rollups to batch more transactions at once. As a result, users experience lower costs on Layer 2 networks.

Data since the first BPO fork in December shows steady demand growth without capacity pressure. Average blob usage remains well below the target level. Nevertheless, there is a gradual rise in overall blob charges. This pattern indicates an increase in rollup activity as opposed to data scarcity.

The trend justifies the scaling before congestion strategy of Ethereum. Developers like to add headroom early so that there are no sudden bottlenecks. In the meantime, other data layers such as Celestia, EigenDA, and Avail provide alternative tradeoffs. Ethereum-native blobs, however, are more closely tied to the base network.

Ethereum transaction fees have also stabilized since blobs were launched. Less competition over block space reduced fee volatility. Consequently, mainnet users benefit indirectly from rollup adoption. Developers view this as a key outcome of the blob roadmap.

2026 Roadmap Signals More Throughput via Gas Limits and Glamsterdam

Developers are already strategizing on the next scaling steps with the second BPO fork done. In a mid-December call, the teams discussed increasing the gas limit, which was initially set at 60 million, to 80 million. With that change, more transactions and contract calls would be possible per block. It might also lower charges during peak seasons.

The Glamsterdam hard fork will capture additional scalability improvements later in 2026. The plan entails increasing the gas limit to about 200 million. It also introduces parallel transaction processing through Block Access Lists. This design would shift Ethereum from single-lane execution toward concurrent processing.

Ethereum Network Evolution 2026 & Glamsterdam Hard Fork

I. Projected Data Changes from the Glamsterdam Hard Fork

-Block Parameter and Throughput Surge
Gas Limit: Projected increase from the current 60 million. Expected to reach 100 million in H1 2026, doubling to 200 million…

— OKX Ventures (@OKX_Ventures) December 29, 2025

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently said recent upgrades reshaped the network’s capabilities. He argued the system now balances security, decentralization, and scalability through live code. The behavior of validators also changed this week as exit queues dropped to zero. This shift is a sign of renewed confidence among long-term players.