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.

Markets

PEPE’s Surge to Top 20 Tokens Turns Early $460 Purchase to $3.4M

The recent surge in PEPE's value is partly attributed to its use as a levered bet on the growth of the Ethereum ecosystem, with traders anticipating the approval of a spot ether exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the U.S.

By Shaurya MalwaMay 23, 2024, 7:18 a.m. ET

Policy

BlackRock, Grayscale, Bitwise File Updated 19B Forms in Rush for Ethereum ETF

All the updated forms removed the provisions for staking ether, which some say was causing a regulatory roadblock.

By Shaurya MalwaMay 23, 2024, 2:53 a.m. ET

Scrabble letters spelling ETF arranged a rack

Tech

Protocol Village: Stripchain, Intent-Based Interoperability Protocol, Raises $10M

The latest in blockchain tech upgrades, funding announcements and deals. For the period of May 16-22.

By Bradley KeounMay 22, 2024, 2:47 p.m. ET

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

Tech

The Protocol: EIGEN Riches Tempt Ethereum Devs, Even as ETF Approval Nears

There's been tension among members of the Ethereum developer community – even though the ETH price is mooning due to growing anticipation that U.S. regulators might give the green light to spot ether ETFs.

By Bradley KeounMay 22, 2024, 12:41 p.m. ET

Finance

Bitcoin Is Coming to Ethereum Stalwart MetaMask: Sources

MetaMask is a giant in the Ethereum ecosystem, but it's poised to cross one of the biggest tribal divides in crypto.

By Ian AllisonMay 22, 2024, 11:09 a.m. ET

Tech

Second Ethereum Foundation Researcher Acknowledges Advisory Deal Paid in EIGEN

The news set off a debate on the social-media platform X about whether advising the EigenFoundation might constitute a conflict of interest – given the flagged risks to Ethereum from restaking protocol EigenLayer.

By Margaux NijkerkMay 21, 2024, 1:05 p.m. ET

Ethereum Foundation researcher Dankrad Feist, namesake for "proto-danksharding," a major component of Ethereum's upcoming "Dencun" upgrade. (Bradley Keoun)

Tech

Farcaster, Blockchain-Based Social Media Startup, Raises $150M, Led by Paradigm

Dan Romero's Farcaster made waves earlier this year with the introduction of "Frames," a feature allowing apps to run within posts, so users don't have to click off to another site. Other investors in the latest fundraising round include a16z and Haun.

By Bradley KeounMay 21, 2024, 12:44 p.m. ET

Consensus Magazine

What to Expect at Consensus 2024: Spotlight on Blockchain Tech

The three-day conference (May 29-31) features a host of big-name speakers from the realm of blockchain tech, including Sergey Nazarov, Casey Rodarmor, Joe Lubin, Emin Gün Sirer and Rune Christensen. Here is a preview of everything on offer.

By Bradley KeounMay 20, 2024, 3:38 p.m. ET