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

Coinbase's Much-Hyped New Base Blockchain Draws Modest $10M of Inflows on Launch Day

Nearly $166 million had already flowed to the blockchain ahead of the official launch.

By Shaurya MalwaAug 10, 2023

Web3

After Co-Founding Salesforce’s Web3 Studio, Mathew Sweezey Is Bullish on Smart Tokens

The former Salesforce executive who entered Web3 during the NFT boom of 2021 sees smart tokens, aka the ERC-5169 token standard, as a gateway for companies to create new digital ownership opportunities.

By Cam ThompsonAug 10, 2023

Mathew Sweezey is joining Smart Token Labs as Chief Strategy Officer (MathewSweezey.com)

Web3

Y00ts NFT Collection is Migrating to Ethereum After Accepting $3M Grant From Polygon

The popular project, which started out on Solana and migrated to Polygon earlier this year, said it would return 100% of the grant money it received.

By Rosie PerperAug 10, 2023

Tech

The Protocol: Coinbase Launches Own Blockchain as Sleuths Scour PayPal's Stablecoin Software

We're covering Coinbase's launch of "Base," a layer-2 network atop Ethereum, along with the crypto community's reaction to PayPal's new stablecoin and the brouhaha over Matter Labs' use of Polygon-crafted open-source software.

By Bradley KeounAug 9, 2023

Tech

Coinbase Exec: ‘There’s No Playbook’ for Public Company Launching Blockchain

As Coinbase, the big U.S. crypto exchange, plans to launch its new Base blockchain on Wednesday, CoinDesk interviewed Jesse Pollak, Coinbase's head of protocols, who’s leading the effort. Here’s an excerpted version.

By Bradley KeounAug 9, 2023

Jesse Pollak, head of protocols at Coinbase (CoinDesk TV)

Tech

Venture-Backed Saddle Finance Proposes Wind-Down, Dissolution

The Ethereum-based crypto trading protocol would shut down and distribute its treasury to investors under the proposed plan.

By Danny NelsonAug 8, 2023

Videos

PayPal's Stablecoin Launch Is a 'Seminal Moment' for the Industry: Paxos Head of Strategy

Global payments giant PayPal is launching its own U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin, PayPal USD (PYUSD). The Ethereum-based token will be available to PayPal users in the U.S. and is being issued by Paxos Trust Company. Paxos Head of Strategy Walter Hessert discusses the partnership, the use cases of stablecoins, and the state of U.S. regulatory oversight for the crypto sector.

Aug 8, 2023

Videos

PayPal Is Launching Its Own U.S. Dollar-Pegged Stablecoin

PayPal (PYPL) announced the global payments giant is issuing its own U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin. The Ethereum-based token will soon be available to PayPal U.s. users and is the first time a major financial company is issuing its own stablecoin. "The Hash" panel weighs in on PayPal's latest move into the realm of crypto.

Aug 7, 2023

Finance