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’s Third and Final Testnet Merge Goes Live on Goerli

Ethereum’s mainnet Merge with the proof-of-stake Beacon Chain should happen sometime next month.

By Margaux NijkerkAug 11, 2022

ETH outperformed BTC Monday morning, picking up momentum in advance of the network's upcoming "Merge." (Lance Grandahl/Unsplash)

Podcasts

Bitcoin Pops as US Inflation Slows Down and Celebs Are Trolled by Anonymous Crypto User

By Adam B. Levine, William Foxley, Jennifer SanasieAug 10, 2022

Finance

Ethereum’s Move From Proof-of-Work Essential for the Network, Crypto Exec Says

Brian Norton, chief operations officer of MyEtherWallet, joined CoinDesk TV’s “First Mover” to discuss the blockchain’s upcoming software update.

By Fran VelasquezAug 10, 2022

Brian Norton, CEO of MyEtherWallet (CoinDesk)

Opinion

What Happens When You Try to Sanction a Protocol Like Tornado Cash

Blacklists, contingency plans and calls to decentralize follow in the wake of the U.S. government’s unprecedented move to criminalize a smart contract.

By Daniel KuhnAug 10, 2022

Tech

What’s at Stake: Will the Merge Turn Ether Into a Security?

A Georgetown Law professor sounds an alarm on how proof-of-stake makes it easier for ether to meet the Howey Test.

By Frederick MunawaAug 10, 2022

Tech

Cloning Tornado Cash Would Be Easy, but Risky

The sanctioned Ethereum mixer’s code is open source. Anyone can copy and run it. The hard part: winning user trust – and staying out of the U.S. government’s crosshairs.

By Daniel Kuhn, Sage D. YoungAug 10, 2022

Tech

At ETHSeoul, Ethereum Developers Turn Attention to Privacy and Users

Real-life use cases, privacy and making blockchain applications more accessible for retail users dominated the conversations at Ethereum’s developer event.

By Shaurya MalwaAug 10, 2022

Ethereum cofounder Vitalik Buterin speaks at ETHSeoul. (CoinDesk)

Opinion

As Government Takes on the Tornado Mixer, It May Reap a Whirlwind

Tornado Cash isn’t a company, a service or a person – it’s a series of words, and likely protected by the U.S. First Amendment.

By David Z. MorrisAug 9, 2022

Detail of the tomb of monk Johannes Trithemius, author of one of the first Western works on cryptography - and one of the first to be blacklisted. (Wikimedia)

Videos

Vitalik Buterin Addresses Use Case for Tornado Cash

A day after the U.S. Treasury Department banned crypto mixer Tornado Cash, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin tweeted that he used the service to make a donation to support Ukraine. "The Hash" panel discusses the latest Tornado Cash developments and growing concerns over privacy.

Aug 9, 2022