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

Layer 2 Blockchains Become Cheaper After Ethereum's Dencun Upgrade

The upgrade allows layer 2 solutions to store data in "blobs" instead of the expensive call data.

By Omkar GodboleMar 14, 2024, 5:32 a.m. EDT

Tech

Developers Upload Script of Jerry Seinfeld’s ‘Bee Movie’ on Ethereum as Gas Fees Plunge After Dencun

Copying and pasting the Bee Movie script is a niche internet meme that originated on Tumblr and quickly spread to Reddit, YouTube, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

By Shaurya MalwaMar 14, 2024, 3:18 a.m. EDT

Bees (Boba Jaglicic/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Tech

The Protocol: Is Ethereum's Dencun Update All It's Cracked Up To Be?

Some developers think that shifting the Ethereum ecosystem further towards layer 2 networks could risk setting it down the wrong path.

By Sam KesslerMar 13, 2024, 4:00 p.m. EDT

Finance

Why Diversification Matters for Crypto, Too

The rise of Bitcoin may tempt investors to ask “Why Not 100% Bitcoin?” Here’s why.

By Connor FarleyMar 13, 2024, 1:05 p.m. EDT

Tech

Debating Dencun: Will Ethereum's Big Update Help or Harm the Network?

While Ethereum's rollup-centric roadmap could help the ecosystem reach new levels of scale, some developers think relying on third parties to improve access to Ethereum could backfire.

By Sam KesslerMar 13, 2024, 12:48 p.m. EDT

Ethereum Foundation's Tim Beiko joined The Protocol podcast to discuss the implications of the Dencun upgrade. (CoinDesk, modified using PhotoMosh)

Videos

Spot Bitcoin ETFs See Record $1B in Net Inflows; Ethereum's 'Dencun' Upgrade Goes Live

"CoinDesk Daily" host Jennifer Sanasie breaks down the biggest headlines impacting the crypto industry today, including bitcoin's (BTC) recent price movements as the spot BTC ETF products scored over $1 billion in net inflows on Tuesday. Plus, the Ethereum network went live successfully with its much-anticipated "Dencun" upgrade, and why a U.S. government study says no NFT-specific legislation is needed now.

Mar 13, 2024, 12:42 p.m. EDT

Podcasts

The Ethereum Dencun Upgrade Is Here

By Margaux Nijkerk, Sam Kessler, Bradley KeounMar 13, 2024, 12:04 p.m. EDT

Markets

Arbitrum's ARB, Polygon's MATIC Lead Gains as Ethereum's Dencun Upgrade Goes Live

Ethereum's Dencun upgrade enabled a new way of storing data that was forecast to dramatically cut costs for interacting with layer-2 networks.

By Krisztian SandorMar 13, 2024, 11:40 a.m. EDT

Polygon's MATIC price on March 13 (CoinDesk)

Tech

Blast Blockchain Locks Up Amid Ethereum's Dencun Upgrade

Its mainnet stopped producing blocks around the time of the Ethereum overhaul.

By Nick Baker, Oliver KnightMar 13, 2024, 10:59 a.m. EDT

Blast stops producing blocks after Dencun (Md Riduwan Molla/Unsplash)

Tech

Ethereum Finalizes 'Dencun' Upgrade, in Landmark Move to Reduce Data Fees

A key element of the upgrade is to enable a new place for storing data on Ethereum – referred to as "proto-danksharding," which gives room for a dedicated space on the blockchain that is separate from regular transactions, and comes at a lower cost.

By Margaux NijkerkMar 13, 2024, 9:58 a.m. EDT