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

ZKsync’s ZK Airdrop Is Coming ‘Next Week,’ Here's What to Expect

According to the plan released Tuesday, 17.5% of ZK's 21 billion total token supply will be airdropped to users beginning "next week."

By Margaux NijkerkJun 11, 2024

Pyth issues token airdrop (ian dooley/Unsplash)

Tech

Optimism Finally Gets Its Mission-Critical 'Fault Proofs'

For years, Optimism was missing a core feature at the heart of its design: "Fault proofs." On Monday, that tech is finally here.

By Margaux NijkerkJun 10, 2024

Podcasts

Live from Consensus 2024 | The Financialization of Crypto and the Influence of Narratives

By Margaux Nijkerk, Sam Kessler, Bradley KeounJun 6, 2024

Markets

VanEck Sees Ether Hitting $22K by 2030

Ether's 2030 valuation is driven by $66 billion in free cashflows and $15 trillion TAM potential, VanEck writes

By Sam ReynoldsJun 5, 2024

Jan van Eck, president and CEO of asset manager VanEck, speaks at Consensus Invest 2018 (CoinDesk)

Tech

The Protocol: Another Episode in the Layer-2 Teams Drama

We take a look at what unfolded after Matter Labs’ planned to trademark the term “ZK.”

By Margaux NijkerkJun 5, 2024

Tech

Protocol Village: Coinbase Launches Passkey-Based 'Smart Wallet,' Alchemy Unveils 'Rollups,' Fleek Releases Testnet

The latest in blockchain tech upgrades, funding announcements and deals. For May 28- June 7.

By Sam KesslerJun 4, 2024

Scene from Protocol Village at Consensus 2023 in Austin, Texas.

Markets

Ether Price Poised for Supply 'Shock' as ETFs May Attract $4B Inflows in Five Months, K33 Research Says

ETH will start outperforming bitcoin following the ETF launch after almost two and a half years of underperformance, the report said.

By Krisztian SandorJun 4, 2024

Tech

Polygon Acquires Zero-Knowledge Cryptography Firm Toposware

Sources close to the deal told CoinDesk that the company was valued at $30-50 million. The purchase means that Polygon Labs has invested over $1 billion on zero-knowledge research and acquisitions, the team shared in a press release.

By Margaux NijkerkJun 4, 2024

Polygon Labs CEO Marc Boiron (Polygon Labs)

Markets

Bitcoin Knocks on $70K Level; Bitfinex Hopeful Selling Pressure That Sparked a Correction Is Ending

Bitcoin's slump since March was driven by long-term holders selling, but blockchain data shows the trend has stalled and investors are accumulating BTC, Bitfinex said in a report.

By Krisztian SandorJun 3, 2024