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.

Policy

Coinbase's SEC Documents Reveal NY Attorney General Wanted ETH Declared Security

On the U.S. exchange's online site for the documents obtained by Freedom of Information Act requests, it's illuminating some internal SEC discussions.

By Jesse HamiltonMay 7, 2025, 11:30 a.m. ET

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong at the White House

Tech

Ethereum Activates ‘Pectra’ Upgrade, Raising Max Stake to 2,048 ETH

The update aims to streamline staking, enhance wallet functionality, and improve overall efficiency.

By Margaux NijkerkMay 7, 2025, 6:08 a.m. ET

Ethereum blockchain symbol abstract crystal

Tech

Ethereum Preps for Biggest Code Change Since the Merge With Pectra Upgrade

The upgrade is focused on making the Ethereum blockchain more user-friendly and efficient.

By Margaux NijkerkMay 5, 2025, 10:21 a.m. ET

The latest Ethereum upgrade, Pectra, is partly named after Electra, one of the "seven sisters" in the star constellation known as Pleiades (Wikipedia)

Markets

Vitalik Buterin Wants to Make Ethereum as Simple as Bitcoin

Buterin put out thoughts for a long-term roadmap that drastically reduces the complexity of Ethereum’s technology.

By Shaurya MalwaMay 5, 2025, 8:15 a.m. ET

Vitalik Buterin at RadicalXchange Detroit, March 2019

Markets

Ether-Bitcoin 'Squeeze' Hints at Imminent Volatility as Ethereum Pectra Upgrade Nears

Ethereum's Pectra upgrade, set for May 7, aims to improve scalability and may impact market activity.

By Omkar GodboleMay 5, 2025, 4:22 a.m. ET

A hand squeezing a lemon. (j4p4n/OpenClipArt)

Tech

The Protocol: Inside Movement’s Token-Dump Scandal

Also: ETH Gas Limit Ceiling Proposal, Bitcoin Data Limits Debate, and Base Becomes a Stage 1 Rollup

By Margaux NijkerkApr 30, 2025, 2:38 p.m. ET

Tech

Inside Movement’s Token-Dump Scandal: Secret Contracts, Shadow Advisers and Hidden Middlemen

Movement, backed by Trump's World Liberty Financial, says it was duped into an agreement that experts say incentivized price manipulation.

By Sam KesslerApr 30, 2025, 7:00 a.m. ET

Movement Labs co-founders Cooper Scanlon and Rushi Manche (Movement Labs)

Tech

Ethereum Could Supercharge Transaction Speed to 2,000 TPS Thanks to Bold New Proposal

A new proposal hopes to increase gas fee limits by 100-fold, which theoretically would bump transactions per second to 2,000 in the coming years.

By Shaurya MalwaApr 28, 2025, 8:43 a.m. ET

Tech

The Protocol: Will ETH Developers Swap Out the EVM for RISC-V?

Also: Matter Labs Sued; Scroll’s Euclid Upgrade; EigenLayer Adds ‘Slashing’ Feature

By Margaux NijkerkApr 23, 2025, 4:49 p.m. ET

Tech

Vitalik Buterin Proposes Replacing Ethereum’s EVM With RISC-V

Buterin argues that transitioning Ethereum to the open-source RISC-V architecture will “greatly improve the efficiency of the Ethereum execution layer.”

By Margaux NijkerkApr 21, 2025, 2:32 p.m. ET