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.

Finance

Grayscale Moves to Convert Its Ethereum Trust to a Spot ETH ETF

The company's Ethereum trust is the largest ether investment product in the world with nearly $5 billion in AUM.

By Lyllah LedesmaOct 2, 2023

Tech

Protocol Village: Google Cloud to Serve as Validator for Polygon PoS Network

The latest in blockchain tech upgrades, funding announcements and deals for the period of Aug. 22 - Sept. 29.

By Bradley KeounSep 29, 2023

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

Videos

VanEck Readies Ethereum Futures ETF; Marathon Digital Mines Invalid Bitcoin Block

"CoinDesk Daily" host Jennifer Sanasie breaks down the hottest crypto headlines today, including VanEck preparing to roll out its Ethereum futures exchange-traded fund (ETF). TerraUSD creator Do Kwon opposes the SEC's attempts to bring him back to the United States. Changpeng “CZ” Zhao denies he is the owner of CommEX, the company that has bought Binance Russia. Plus, Bitcoin mining company Marathon Digital (MARA) mines an invalid Bitcoin block.

Sep 28, 2023

Opinion

Examining dYdX’s Path to Profitable DeFi

Axelar's Galen Moore provides a front-row seat to changes afoot at dYdX as the popular decentralized trading platform builds on Cosmos.

By Galen MooreSep 28, 2023

dYdX CEO Antonio Juliano (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)

Finance

Major TradFi Player VanEck Readies Ethereum Futures ETF

VanEck Ethereum Strategy ETF (EFUT) will invest in ETH futures contracts traded on commodity exchanges registered with the CFTC.

By Aoyon AshrafSep 28, 2023

After weeks of delays, the VanEck Bitcoin Strategy ETF is ready to launch. (Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Opinion

Ethereum Staking Surges to 7.4M ETH and Counting

BitGo COO Chen Fang writes reward-bearing staked ether is a cushion during market drops, but developers need to solve problems caused by the growing number of validators.

By Chen FangSep 28, 2023

(davide ragusa/Unsplash, modified by CoinDesk)

Tech

Ethereum Developers Appear Successful in Second Attempt at Holesky Test Network Launch

The original planned launch date of Holesky, on Sept. 15, was supposed to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Ethereum’s historic “Merge” transition. But things didn't go so smoothly. Now developers are trying again.

By Margaux NijkerkSep 28, 2023

Ethereum Foundation's Parithosh Jayanthi, helping to host a livestream as developers of the blockchain launched the new "Holesky" test network. (EthStaker/YouTube)

Consensus Magazine

How Ethereum Staking Stacks Up in the Proof-of-Stake Landscape

A victim of its own success? The rising number of validators on Ethereum is driving staking rewards down, according to CoinDesk Indices data. But other chains are weak competition, accounting for token supply inflation and real yields.

By Max GoodSep 27, 2023

Tech

The Protocol: Google Pushes Deeper into Blockchain

Google's cloud-computing division is increasingly involved in blockchain, with plans to add 11 networks including Polygon, Optimism, and Polkadot to its 'BigQuery' program for public datasets.

By Bradley KeounSep 27, 2023