- The EVM has been factored out into a standalone module, suitable for inclusion as a library. [#2790](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2790)
- Low level performance improvements changes to cut worst-case EVM performance in half. [#2796](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2796)
- Migrate `ExceptionalHaltReason` from an enum to an interface to allow downstream users of the EVM to add new exceptional halt reasons. [#2810](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2810)
- reduces need for JUMPDEST analysis via caching [#2607](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2821)
- Add support for custom private key file for public-key export and public-key export-address commands [#2801](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2801)
- Added support for PKCS11 keystore on PKI Block Creation. [#2865](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2865)
- add support for ArrowGlacier hardfork [#2943](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/2943)
### Bug Fixes
### Bug Fixes
- add support for ArrowGlacier hardfork [#2943](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/2943)
- Allow BESU_CONFIG_FILE environment to specify TOML file [#2455](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/issues/2455)
- Fix bug with private contracts not able to call public contracts that call public contracts [#2816](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2816)
- Fixes the exit condition for loading a BonsaiPersistedWorldState for a sibling block of the last one persisted [#2967](https://github.com/hyperledger/besu/pull/2967)