Ethereum News

Ethereum (ETH) was launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and a team of co-founders as the world's first programmable blockchain, enabling smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) that extend far beyond simple peer-to-peer transactions. After transitioning from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake consensus through "The Merge" in 2022, Ethereum now processes transactions more efficiently while maintaining its position as the foundation for decentralized finance (DeFi) and Web3 innovation.

The Ethereum ecosystem encompasses thousands of decentralized applications, from DeFi protocols like Uniswap and Aave to NFT marketplaces, gaming platforms, and layer-2 scaling solutions like Arbitrum and Polygon. Developers, validators, and users interact within this programmable economy where ETH serves as both a digital currency and the fuel powering smart contract execution through gas fees.

CoinDesk covers all aspects of Etherum, from protocol upgrades and scaling developments to DeFi innovation and regulatory implications. Our reporters track everything from Ethereum's roadmap milestones and staking developments to the broader implications of programmable money and decentralized autonomous organizations.

DISCLOSURE: This text was written with the assistance of AI, then reviewed by a person.

Tech

Ethereum Developers to Launch New Testnet ‘Zhejiang’ for Simulating ETH Withdrawals

Users will be able to get a sense of how staked ETH withdrawals will work from a testnet due to go fully live on Feb. 7.

By Margaux NijkerkJan 31, 2023

Finance

Crypto Issuance Startup Tokensoft Brings Its Token Launchpad On-Chain

Tokensoft version 2 will allow for greater abstraction in how teams structure their token distributions.

By Danny NelsonJan 31, 2023

Web3

EthBoy NFT Painting Continues to Evolve With Fourth Edition

The generative artwork, which depicts Vitalik Buterin in a harlequin suit, changes every day in response to external data.

By Cam ThompsonJan 31, 2023

EthBoy NFT, fourth edition. (Trevor Jones)

Markets

Deflationary Ether Is Underperforming Bitcoin, Here Are 3 Reasons Why

While bitcoin has gained nearly 43% this month, ether has appreciated by 36%.

By Omkar GodboleJan 30, 2023

Markets

Decentralized Exchange Vela’s DXP Token Surges Ahead of Beta Release on Arbitrum

The utility token has rallied 50% in the past 24 hours and more than doubled since Wednesday ahead of the release of its widely anticipated beta version next week.

By Krisztian SandorJan 27, 2023

Traders are betting Vela, which means sail in Spanish, can take a share of the growing decentralized exchange activity on Arbitrum. (Johannes Plenio/Unsplash)

Opinion

Tech’s Money Woes: Beginning of the End for Web2?

Gloomy forecasts, mass layoffs and antitrust lawsuits have bruised "Big Tech" over the past year. But that doesn't automatically portend the end of Web2. For Web3 to emerge, we have to address key questions about AI and decentralization.

By Michael J. CaseyJan 27, 2023

Finance

DeFi Lender Aave Deploys Version 3 on Ethereum Network

Aave v3 allows users to benefit from the highest borrowing power out of their collateral.

By Oliver KnightJan 27, 2023

Finance

Crypto Custodian Aegis to Add Coverage of Lido's Staked Token Derivatives

Aegis’ end-to-end custody now includes liquid staking services through Lido for its institutional users wary of regulation.

By Sage D. YoungJan 26, 2023

Markets

Optimism’s OP Token Hits All-Time High as Layer 2 Adoption Interests Grow

The OP token has surged 140% this year, surpassing bitcoin and ether.

By Jocelyn YangJan 26, 2023

Bitcoin jumped to $23,500 Wednesday shortly after the release of the U.S. CPI for July. (Denny Luan/Unsplash)

Videos

Polygon Q4 Transaction Volatility Linked to FTX Collapse, ZK Rollup Testing: Nansen

According to Nansen, the Ethereum scaling tool Polygon saw wide swings in daily transactions and active addresses during the fourth quarter as users scrambled to move funds during the epic meltdown of Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX crypto exchange. The tremendous addition of daily addresses was also partly due to Polygon’s zero-knowledge EVM public testnet launch. "The Hash" panel discusses the report and the outlook for Polygon.

Jan 26, 2023