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 Developers Target Ease of Crypto Wallets With 'EIP-3074'

EIP-3074 has drawn both support and concern from the Ethereum community, a code change that is supposed to improve the user experience with wallets on the blockchain.

By Margaux NijkerkMay 7, 2024

Screengrab from the EIP-3074 proposal (Ethereum.org, modified by CoinDesk using PhotoMosh)

Tech

Popular Crypto Wallet MetaMask Rolls Out 'Smart Transactions' to Combat Ethereum Front-Running

It's the first step on a more ambitious roadmap to transform how Ethereum's biggest wallet works under the hood.

By Sam KesslerMay 6, 2024

MetaMask has quietly rolled out a limited version of its new routing tech into the new Smart Swaps feature (MetaMask, modified by CoinDesk)

Markets

Friend.Tech's Native Token Tanks to $2.5 After Debut

Early Friday, Friend.Tech airdropped its native token, FRIEND, while debuting version 2 of the platform.

By Omkar GodboleMay 3, 2024

Podcasts

High Stakes | Intense Competition Among Layer Two Solutions

By Margaux Nijkerk, Sam Kessler, Bradley KeounMay 2, 2024

Learn

What Is Restaking? What Is Liquid Restaking? What Is EigenLayer?

EigenLayer and similar "restaking" protocols are currently the buzziest investment in blockchain, but the technology isn't without risks.

By Sam KesslerMay 2, 2024

Videos

CZ's 'Good Guy' Reputation; Money Laundering Risks of Crypto

"CoinDesk Daily" host Jennifer Sanasie breaks down the biggest headlines impacting the crypto industry today, including Judge Richard Jones acknowledging Binance's former CEO Changpeng Zhao as a "do-gooder." Plus, a new report from the UK government on the money laundering risks of crypto between 2022 and 2023. And, the crypto restaking hype spreads from Ethereum to Solana.

May 1, 2024

Tech

Protocol Village: Chainlink CCIP to Power New 'FIX-Native Blockchain Adapter' With Rapid Addition

The latest in blockchain tech upgrades, funding announcements and deals. For the period of April 25-May 1.

By Bradley KeounMay 1, 2024

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

Policy

House's McHenry Accuses SEC Chief Gensler of Misleading Congress on Ethereum

The chairman of the House Financial Services Committee says Gensler refused to discuss his view on ETH in testimony even after the SEC was investigating it as a security.

By Jesse HamiltonApr 30, 2024

SEC Chair Gary Gensler in Washington on Oct. 25, 2023 (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)

Opinion

Why Eigenlayer’s Airdrop Is Controversial

Although it’s actually conservative.

By Daniel KuhnApr 30, 2024

EigenLayer founder Sreeram Kannan at ETHDenver 2024 (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)

Consensus Magazine

Consensys, a Target for the SEC’s Assault on ETH, Is Fighting Back

The Ethereum development company is seeking regulatory clarity on a number of questions, in a case that some experts see as potentially heading to the Supreme Court.

By Daniel KuhnApr 26, 2024