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.

Layer 2

What Ethereum’s Kintsugi Testnet Means for Proof-of-Stake

Kintsugi is a “longer-lived, public testnet” that will allow application developers and users to become familiar with a post-merge Ethereum environment.

By Edward OosterbaanDec 22, 2021

Ethereum's Kentsugi testnet is deployed. (svetolk/iStock/Getty Images Plus, modified by CoinDesk)

Videos

Terra Surpasses Binance Smart Chain as Second-Largest DeFi Protocol

Amidst Terraform Labs' ongoing legal dispute with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), its decentralized payments network Terra has officially become the second-largest DeFi protocol behind Ethereum. “The Hash” team discusses what separates Terra from its competitors like Solana and Avalanche. Plus, examining the SEC’s ability to regulate overseas companies.

Dec 21, 2021

Tech

Ethereum Launches Kintsugi Public Testnet Ahead of Move to Proof-of-Stake

The move opens access to the new environment to a wider audience; earlier testnets were available only to developers.

By Shaurya MalwaDec 21, 2021

Kintsugi plate. (Riho Kitagawa/Unsplash)

Videos

Polkadot Parachains Go Live, Capping Yearslong Tech Build for Ambitious Blockchain Project

After several years in development, Polkadot, an underlying framework for connecting various blockchains, now has five live parachains, or “parallelized chains”: Acala, Moonbeam, Parallel Finance, Astar, and Clover. Polkadot will ultimately offer 100 parachain slots. “The Hash” team discusses where this update puts Polkadot in the layer 1 blockchain conversation as it competes with Ethereum.

Dec 20, 2021

Layer 2

Another Ethereum Education Initiative Hampered by Iran Sanctions Fears

Gitcoin’s suspension of a grant for a coding course in Farsi follows a similar move by ConsenSys.

By Anna BaydakovaDec 20, 2021

Markets

Digital Asset Funds Hit by Record $142M of Outflows

Investors pulled money out of funds focused on bitcoin and the currencies of Ethereum, Solana and Polkadot, as crypto markets retreated.

By Lyllah LedesmaDec 20, 2021

Digital asset investment products saw outflows totalling $142 million (CoinShares)

Videos

Get Ready for the 2022 Metaverse Real Estate Boom

Today's most popular metaverse projects are built on Ethereum, such as Decentraland, Axie Infinity, and The Sandbox, but will they see more growth elsewhere next year? Irina Karagyaur, head of Metaverse Growth at Unique Network, an NFT platform on the Polkadot chain, shares insights into Ethereum's limitations and where virtual real estate could head in 2022.

Dec 17, 2021

Videos

ConsenSys Collaborates With Mastercard on New Ethereum Scaling System

Ethereum software firm ConsenSys has launched “ConsenSys Rollups” with the help of Mastercard’s engineering team, enabling expansion on both the Ethereum mainnet and for private use. “The Hash” team discusses the latest move bringing Ethereum to the forefront with large banking corporations and what it means for Mastercard to experiment with scaling solutions.

Dec 17, 2021

Finance

ConsenSys Collaborates With Mastercard on New Ethereum Scaling System

The software firm said projects built using “Consensys Rollups” can reach a throughput of up to 10,000 transactions per second (TPS) on a private chain.

By Michael BellusciDec 16, 2021