Ethereum.org Shifting from ‘ETH 1’ and ‘ETH 2’ to ‘Execution Layer’ and ‘Consensus Layer’

 

Ethereum.org will stop using the conventional “ETH1” and “ETH2” terms when referring to the phases of Ethereum (ETH)‘s development — instead adopting the use of “execution layer” and “consensus layer.”

More specifically, ETH1, which refers to Ethereum using the proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism, would be ‘renamed’ to the “execution layer.” On the other hand, ETH2 (or Ethereum 2.0) — the stage when Ethereum’s shift to the proof-of-stake (PoS) mechanism is finalized — would be designated as the “consensus layer.”

“As of late 2021, core developers stopped using the [ETH1, ETH2] terminology, [and] today, as highlighted in our Q1 roadmap, ethereum.org makes the same shift,” they said in a blog post.

Ethereum.org, per their website, is a public, open-source resource for the Ethereum community, to which anyone can contribute to. It has a “small team” that maintains and develops the site which is funded by the Ethereum Foundation.

They noted that the primary reason behind the change is to remove possible confusion, arguing that some users might think that ETH1 comes first and ETH2 comes after it, or that ETH1 ceases to exist once ETH2 finalizes — while in reality, they are both parts of Ethereum. In other words, ETH1 + ETH2 = Ethereum.

“By removing Eth2 terminology, we save all future users from navigating this confusing mental model,” Ethereum.org said.

Furthermore, some malicious actors have tried to trick users by using the ETH2 misnomer, making them swap their ETH tokens for fake ‘ETH2’ tokens, they said, adding: “We hope this updated terminology will bring clarity to eliminate this scam vector and help make the ecosystem safer.”

The team also noted that renaming doesn’t change anything about Ethereum and its roadmap.

As reported, in late 2021, Ethereum blockchain’s Kintsugi Testnet went live and allowed users to test and prototype the Merge — when the current Ethereum Mainnet “merges” with the beacon chain PoS system.

Earlier this year, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin evaluated Ethereum’s progress towards its “grand vision” during an episode of the Bankless podcast, estimating that it is halfway there.

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Learn more:
– Ethereum Moves Ahead With Plans for Earlier Transition to Proof-of-Stake
– Ethereum Developer Calls for the Community to Test the Merge

– Ethereum Merge Estimated in May-June 2022 – Developers
– Vitalik Buterin Proposes New EIP to Tackle Ethereum’s Sky-High Gas Fees 

– Team Proof-of-Work Educates Lawmakers at Bitcoin Mining Hearing in US
– ‘Fiat-Like’ Proof-of-Stake Chains Favor Centralization & Rich Players