Ethereum Expands Blob Capacity With Scheduled BPO2 Fork Upgrade
Understanding Blob Capacity in Ethereum
Blob capacity refers to the amount of temporary data Ethereum can handle per block using blobs, a data structure introduced to support rollups. Blobs allow Layer 2 networks to post large volumes of transaction data to Ethereum without congesting the main execution layer. This system is central to Ethereum’s long-term scaling strategy, where most user activity happens on rollups while Ethereum secures and validates the data.
As rollup adoption grows across decentralized finance, gaming, and NFT platforms, the need for higher blob throughput has become increasingly urgent. Limited blob space can lead to higher costs and slower performance, particularly during periods of high network demand.
Fusaka Upgrade Sets the Foundation
The Fusaka upgrade, activated earlier in December 2025, introduced a new framework that allows Ethereum to adjust blob parameters without conducting full hard forks. Known as Blob Parameter Only forks, or BPO forks, this approach gives developers the flexibility to fine-tune data availability in response to real-time usage.
This change represents a shift in how Ethereum evolves. Instead of waiting months or years for large network upgrades, smaller, targeted improvements can now be deployed more frequently and with lower operational risk.
BPO1 Delivered Immediate Capacity Gains
The first of these updates, BPO1, was successfully implemented shortly after Fusaka went live. It increased both the target and maximum number of blobs per block, providing immediate relief to Layer 2 networks that had been competing for limited data space.
Following BPO1, rollup operators reported more stable data availability and improved cost efficiency. These early results reinforced confidence in the incremental upgrade approach and paved the way for the next phase.
What the BPO2 Fork Will Change
The upcoming BPO2 fork will further expand Ethereum’s blob capacity by increasing the target and maximum blob limits per block once again. Compared to pre-Fusaka levels, this upgrade will more than double the network’s original data throughput for blobs.
For Layer 2 solutions, this means greater room to post transaction data, lower per-transaction fees, and improved performance during peak usage. For end users, the impact is expected to be faster confirmations and more affordable transactions on rollup-based applications.
Benefits for Developers and the Ecosystem
Developers building on Ethereum and its Layer 2 ecosystem stand to gain significantly from the BPO2 fork. Higher blob capacity enables more complex applications that rely on frequent data posting, such as high-volume trading platforms and real-time blockchain games.
At the ecosystem level, the upgrade strengthens Ethereum’s position as the preferred base layer for rollups. Competing blockchains have focused on increasing raw throughput, but Ethereum’s modular design emphasizes security, decentralization, and sustainable scaling.
Looking Ahead in Ethereum’s Scaling Roadmap
BPO2 is not the final step. Ethereum developers have indicated that additional BPO forks are likely in 2026, each gradually increasing blob capacity as the network and hardware capabilities evolve. This measured approach helps maintain decentralization by ensuring node requirements do not grow too quickly.
In the long term, Ethereum aims to support significantly higher blob counts per block, aligning with its vision of becoming a global settlement layer capable of supporting billions of users through rollups.
As the BPO2 fork approaches, it marks another clear signal that Ethereum’s scaling strategy is moving from theory to execution delivering practical improvements that users and developers can feel across the network.
