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.

Finance

Plasma Became Optimism and It Might Just Save Ethereum

The Plasma Group reformed as Optimism and is working to make ethereum's calling card, smart contracts, work above the base layer.

By Leigh CuenFeb 11, 2020

Tech

SEC 'Safe Harbor' Proposal Lauded by Token Fans, DeFi Builders at 0x Conference

San Francisco's 0xpo conference offered the perfect venue for pondering the token "Safe Harbor" proposed by SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce.

By William FoxleyFeb 10, 2020

TOKEN CLARITY? Amir Bandeali, co-founder of 0x, speaks at the first 0xpo conference, one day after SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce dropped a proposed "safe harbor" for token projects. (Photo by Will Foxley for CoinDesk)

Markets

Why DeFi's Billion-Dollar Milestone Matters

The DeFi market hitting $1 billion in locked crypto is something even the most fervent ethereum skeptics would have a tough time dismissing as meaningless.

By Brady DaleFeb 7, 2020

Tech

RSK Launches Interoperability Bridge Between Bitcoin and Ethereum

RSK's tokens can now operate within the ethereum ecosystem using the new token bridge.

By Paddy BakerFeb 7, 2020

Tech

'95% Confidence': Ethereum Developers Pencil In July 2020 for Eth 2.0 Launch

Ethereum’s next system-wide upgrade, Eth 2.0, won’t launch in Q2 2020 as expected, but researchers remain confident the initial network parameters will deploy in 2020. Anything less would be considered a “failure,” they said.

By William FoxleyFeb 6, 2020

Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin (CoinDesk archives)

Markets

Ethereum Incubator ConsenSys Slashes Headcount 14% in Latest Strategic Shift

Ethereum venture studio ConsenSys is shifting focus – and downsizing as a result.

By Zack SewardFeb 4, 2020

ConsenSys founder Joseph Lubin (CoinDesk)

Finance

Inside the Standards Race for Implementing FATF’s Travel Rule

Crypto businesses are figuring out how to comply with the Financial Action Task Force’s “Travel Rule.” And putting technical solutions in place is proving to be just as tricky as the legal and operational issues involved.

By Ian AllisonFeb 4, 2020

Markets

Deplatforming, Ethereum Marketing and Whether Brexit Matters for Crypto

A look at social media censorship discussion plus ethereum marketing and Brexit reactions with Ledger CEO Pascal Gauthier

By Nathaniel WhittemoreFeb 3, 2020

Tech

Aztec Launches Privacy Network on Ethereum

Users will be able to create private assets using the protocol.

By Paddy BakerFeb 3, 2020

Markets

How Fund Managers View Lending and Staking: 3 Takeaways From a CoinDesk Research Webinar

In December, we invited two fund managers, both long bitcoin and other crypto assets, for a CoinDesk Research webinar on lending and staking. Jordan Clifford of Scalar Capital and Kyle Samani of Multicoin Capital joined us to discuss how they evaluate risk and returns in crypto lending and staking, what crypto assets' risk-free rate might look like, and what DeFi needs to do to attract investors and new users.

By Galen MooreJan 31, 2020