Ethereum could be getting its first major hard fork since the Fusaka Upgrade in December 2025. Developers have shared the EIP-8182 proposal, dubbed the Hegotá hard fork. There have been a lot of talks about this upgrade as it looks to change how we handle transaction data on-chain.
The community is filled with excitement over potentially getting more privacy features. Despite this positive move, ETH price is recovering, forming support above $1,650, but faces a stubborn resistance at $1,700 before a potential breakout.
EIP-8182 Proposed for Hegotá Hard Fork
Ethereum developers are actively studying a proposal called EIP-8182. Drafted by Facet co-founder Tom Lehman, this core proposal could debut in the upcoming Hegotá hard fork. Hegotá follows the Glamsterdam upgrade and targets deep infrastructure tweaks.
The main goal of EIP-8182 is to launch a standardized shielded pool system directly on the network. Users could deposit ETH or ERC-20 tokens into this system contract. From there, they can execute transactions secretly.
Instead of relying on regular accounts, it uses a UTXO model combined with zero-knowledge proofs. Crucially, the system features a separate architecture with no admin backdoors or pause buttons.
Why Protocol-Level Privacy Changes Everything for Ethereum
Ethereum doesn’t have a strong privacy history like Monero. Application-layer tools on Ethereum suffer from small anonymity sets. However, it’s not enough users to hide your tracks effectively. They also carry massive governance risks since smart contract admins can alter the rules or pause services unexpectedly.
EIP-8182 fixes this by embedding privacy straight into the protocol layer. It creates a unified environment where everyone shares the same privacy pool. By building this safely into the core network code, users no longer have to trust third-party managers.
It offers an open, decentralized sanctuary for financial data. However, core developers must still thoroughly review the code for denial-of-service vulnerabilities and storage growth before giving it the final green light.
ETH Price Faces Resistance at $1,700
While there’s excitement about Ethereum’s direct, ETH price has been a different story. CoinMarketCap shows the ETH price trading at roughly $1,666. ETH has now found enough momentum to break above $1,700.
Breaking past $1,700 requires strong capital inflows, but current macro conditions keep the broader market cautious. Until buyers clear this psychological barrier, the price will likely consolidate in this tight range.
ETH Technical Indicators Are Mixed
Technical indicators should show a clear tug-of-war between buyers and sellers on the long and short timelines. Investing.com daily technical indicators present a strong sell signal, but a closer look at individual indicators reveals a split narrative.
The 14-day Relative Strength Index sits right at 31.041, flashing a bearish market condition. Meanwhile the STOCH (9,6) are flashing bullish signals. Moving averages highlight this divide perfectly. On the hourly and 5H timeframe are all flashing strong bullish signals.
Daily and weekly moving averages are bearish. The 200D EMA sits right around $1,700, confirming why this exact price point remains so incredibly difficult to conquer. So investors should wait for a move above this level before making their move.