The two most popular coins, Bitcoin and Ethereum, are what the crypto community uses to compare the entire ecosystem to crypto tokens. Developers tried to test the blockchain waters and create other projects when Bitcoin was introduced to the world. Ethereum, often known as the first altcoin, was the first of its type. However, Ethereum fell short in several areas due to a lack of concept notes and exposure. Scalability and power usage are two examples. The expanding ETH community has been worried about this from the outset. The creators of ETH set up a solution to be implemented in stages in order to step up their games and give various cryptocurrencies dubbed “Ethereum Killer” a tough fight.
Key Updates on the Ethereum Merge to Date
The Ethereum Merge is expected to launch in stages. However, the 10th Shadow Fork in July enabled the ETH developers to reveal an anticipated day for the crypto community to use the newly upgraded Ethereum Blockchain, referred to as ETH 2.0! Here is a brief summary of all the actions that have brought the combine to its penultimate phase!
The Proof of Stake consensus mechanism will be implemented as part of the Beacon Chain Update, Phase 0, which took place in 2020. In addition, the update will control the registry of validators, who will start certifying blocks as existing on Ethereum 2.0.
Implementation of Shard Chains: This update was a part of Phase 1, which was put in place to address the ETH blockchain’s scalability problem.
The Fusion: Despite being a part of Phase 1, the merge is frequently referred to as one of the three phases that the creators revealed. To ensure a seamless transition of the Ethereum Blockchain’s consensus process, the merge was divided into three parts, and three testnets were set up. Ropsten, Sepolia, and Goerli are the testnets in question.
What is Ethereum 2.0?
The latest iteration of the widely used cryptocurrency Ethereum is called Ethereum 2.0. Ethereum’s shift from its current underlying Proof of Work consensus method to the Proof of Stake consensus mechanism is indicated by version 2.0. Since Ethereum’s inception, the underlying consensus algorithm has changed to address the limitations of a Proof of Work blockchain.
What is Proof of Stake?
In essence, a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism is a sort of system used to confirm new transactions made via a blockchain network. Because there is no single entity in charge of the blockchain, one way to make sure that every data kept on the network is legitimate is through the usage of PoS.
The only way PoS and PoW are different is that with PoS, a process determines which network users get to undertake this duty, and it also has a financial advantage. If they successfully validate the new data and don’t manipulate the system, those who are selected to finish the transaction are rewarded with a newly generated cryptocurrency. Similar principles govern how the Proof of Work consensus method operates, with the exception of a little change: instead of selecting a specific participant to validate the data, the code rewards the person who can swiftly answer a challenging mathematical problem.
Ethereum 2.0 vs. Ethereum: Key Differences
The consensus process used by Ethereum 2.0 and Ethereum is one of their most notable differences. Ethereum’s Proof of Work technique will no longer be used in Ethereum 2.0; instead, Proof of Stake will be used.
The new aspect sharding in ETH2 is the second-most significant change. In order to ease the strain on the blockchain and nodes caused by the exponential growth of the Ethereum network, as we previously understood it, Ethereum 2.0 will use sharding to establish 64 extra chains.
Since the fundamentals have changed, ETH2.0 will consume significantly less energy than Ethereum miners did in the past.
Using the Merge and its three testnets, Ethereum developers tried various precautionary measures to ensure that Ethereum’s scalability issue is addressed. Following the conclusion of the merge, ETH will experience an increase in scalability, which has been a chronic concern since the inception of the Ethereum blockchain.
To understand it in a nutshell:
- Eth1 > Execution layer
- Eth2 > Consensus layer
- Execution layer + Consensus layer = Ethereum
Here’s how Ethereum’s proof-of-stake transition will work
To understand how the new Proof of Stake consensus mechanism for the updated Ethereum blockchain will function, we must first grasp the basic differences between Proof of Function and Proof of Stake.
Miners in Proof of Work consensus employ computer processing power to solve complex mathematical riddles. In doing so, they contribute to the verification of new transactions that occur in order for a block to be formed. The first miner to solve a challenge adds a new transaction to the record of all transactions that take place, which becomes the blockchain. Miners are then rewarded for their efforts with the blockchain’s native crypto coin. Because of the use of processing power, the entire process of authenticating transactions can be quite energy-intensive. If the processing power utilized by miners fails to solve the puzzle, the energy used is wasted.
Individual users can stake the blockchain’s native cryptocurrency and become validators in the event of Proof of Stake consensus rather than relying on miners. Validators are identical to miners in any network. The similarity is that they both perform a similar function, which is to validate transactions and ensure that the network is not processing any fraudulent transactions. The validators for any blockchain are chosen based on the amount of crypto they have staked and the length of time they have been staking the tokens. A block can be added to the blockchain once there are enough attestations. The successful block proposition is then awarded to validators. This is referred to as “forging” or “minting.”
Similar to how Proof of Work consensus works, miners on Ethereum’s blockchain solved puzzles in order for a block to be added to the blockchain. The move from Ethereum to Ethereum 2.0 will be comparable as a result of the merger. The move to Proof of Stake will bring validators to the Ethereum network. The validators will be picked depending on the amount of ETH staked, and this is how the blockchain will operate once the merge is completed in September 2022.
Why is Ethereum moving to proof of stake?
Since the beginning of the Ethereum network, the ETH community has been concerned about the network’s scalability as well as its power consumption. Since then, Ethereum developers have been looking at these concerns. The answer was to switch the blockchain to the Proof of Stake consensus mechanism. However, in order to execute this, the developers needed to put up a three-phase method. The final stage is the current Merge, in which the three testnets are built up to ensure a smooth handover of the Ethereum mainnet.
Ethereum 2.0 Release Date
The Ethereum 2.0 release date is expected to occur in 2023. The ETH2.0 version was initially scheduled for deployment in 2019. However, there have been many delays in the development of Ethereum 2.0. The merge is the next step in the transition process, which, according to the most recent update, is scheduled to be finished by September 19, 2022. This event will connect the mainnet to Ethereum 2.0’s Beacon Chain, enabling full staking. Following that, Ethereum shard chains will be launched in 2023, increasing blockchain capacity.
Staking on Ethereum 2.0 and ETH Holders
Ethereum 2.0, also known as ETH 2.0 or Serenity, is an upgrade to the existing Ethereum blockchain. One of its key features is the introduction of a Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism to replace the current Proof of Work (PoW) system.
ETH holders play a crucial role in Ethereum 2.0 through staking. Staking involves locking up a certain amount of ETH as collateral to support network operations. In return, stakers have the opportunity to earn rewards in the form of additional ETH. This process not only secures the network but also incentivizes ETH holders to actively participate in the Ethereum ecosystem.
Staking on Ethereum 2.0 provides an alternative to traditional mining and has the potential to reduce energy consumption while making the network more scalable and sustainable. It allows ETH holders to contribute to the blockchain’s security and earn rewards, fostering a more decentralized and efficient network.
How Will Ethereum 2.0 Affect Your Crypto Investments?
The transition of the ETH blockchain from a Proof of Work consensus mechanism to a Proof of Stake consensus mechanism is nearing completion. Since 2020, the crypto community has frequently asked the most likely questions: Will Ethereum evolve? Is ETH 2.0 a brand-new coin? So on…
Here are the top 3 misconceptions about the ETH2.0, as corrected.
The Merge will NOT result in the creation of a ‘new’ Ethereum: One of the most common misconceptions about the ETH merger is that after the merger, Ethereum would have a “new” coin. Ether (ETH), Ethereum’s native cryptocurrency, will remain unchanged.
The merger will NOT result in lower gas prices: The merger is primarily intended to facilitate ETH’s transition from its prior Proof of Work consensus mechanism to a Proof of Stake consensus mechanism.
The Merge has no definite date: ETH engineers recently claimed that the last testnet of the merge will likely bring the entire merge phase to a finish by September 2022. If there are any unexpected developmental delays, the day and month may vary.
Conclusion
Ethereum 2.0 represents a monumental upgrade for the Ethereum network. It aims to address the scalability and energy efficiency issues that have been a point of concern for some time. By implementing PoS, sharding, and other technical improvements, Ethereum 2.0 is poised to become a more robust, secure, and scalable platform, capable of supporting a wide range of decentralized applications and use cases.
As the upgrade continues to roll out, it has the potential to revolutionize not only the Ethereum ecosystem but also the broader blockchain space. Ethereum 2.0 is not just an upgrade; it’s a significant step towards realizing the full potential of blockchain technology, offering faster, more efficient, and more sustainable solutions for developers and users worldwide.
FAQs
Q. Is Ethereum 2.0 the same as Ethereum?
A. Ethereum 2.0, also known as Eth2 or Serenity, is an upgraded version of the Ethereum blockchain. While Ethereum (often referred to as Ethereum 1.0) uses a Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism, Ethereum 2.0 transitions to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) system. This upgrade aims to improve scalability, security, and sustainability. So, Ethereum 2.0 is an evolution of the original Ethereum network, bringing significant changes to its core technology and functionality.
Q. Will Ethereum 2.0 be a new coin?
A. No, Ethereum 2.0 (Eth2 or Serenity) is not a new coin. It is an upgrade to the existing Ethereum blockchain (Eth1) designed to improve scalability, security, and energy efficiency. Eth2 introduces a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism and shard chains, but it is part of the same Ethereum network, and ETH (Ether) remains the native cryptocurrency of this upgraded blockchain. Eth2 aims to enhance the overall performance and usability of Ethereum rather than creating a separate coin.
Q. How will Ethereum 2.0 affect the price?
A. Ethereum 2.0, with its transition to a Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism, is expected to have a positive impact on Ethereum’s price. It should reduce energy consumption and increase scalability and security, potentially attracting more investors and users. However, the exact price impact will depend on various factors, including market sentiment, adoption, and external events, making it difficult to predict with certainty.
Q. Should you buy ETH or ETH2?
A. You should buy ETH (Ethereum) rather than ETH2 because ETH2 refers to Ethereum’s upgrade to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism. ETH is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum network, while ETH2 represents a future version of Ethereum. Investing in ETH allows you to participate in the current ecosystem and potential growth, while ETH2 is a part of Ethereum’s long-term development and is not available as a separate asset to purchase.
Q. What are the benefits of Eth2?
A. Ethereum 2.0 (Eth2) offers several benefits, including improved scalability, security, and energy efficiency. It replaces the current proof-of-work (PoW) consensus with a more sustainable proof-of-stake (PoS) mechanism, reducing energy consumption. Eth2 enhances transaction throughput, reducing congestion and fees while also increasing network security through shard chains. Overall, it aims to make Ethereum more scalable, eco-friendly, and capable of handling a larger number of transactions and decentralized applications.
