Last week, we discussed the core changes brought by Ethereum's Merge in our article "What You Need to Know Before Ethereum's Merge". This follow-up article addresses frequently asked questions to provide deeper insights into the Merge's technical nuances.
Understanding Proof-of-Stake (PoS)
PoW vs. PoS:
- PoW (Proof-of-Work): Nodes compete for block validation using computational power.
- PoS (Proof-of-Stake): Validators are chosen based on the amount and duration of "staked" ETH, eliminating energy-intensive mining.
Key Mechanics:
- Validators "lock" ETH to participate.
- Blocks require ≥51% consensus for approval.
- Malicious actors face penalties ("slashing"), losing staked ETH.
Evolution of PoS:
- Variants like Ontology’s VBFT introduce randomness via VRF (Verifiable Random Function) to enhance security and decentralization.
Energy Efficiency Post-Merge
Reduction in Consumption:
- Switching to PoS cuts Ethereum’s energy use by ~99.95%.
- Eliminates CPU-driven mining, reducing electricity demand and hardware costs.
Merge Timeline and Network Stability
Instant Transition:
- Determined by Terminal Total Difficulty (TTD).
- PoW nodes will fork onto a separate chain post-Merge, while the mainnet shifts entirely to PoS.
Community Debate:
- Potential PoW fork discussions are ongoing, though PoS adoption remains the primary path.
Gas Fees After the Merge
No Immediate Reduction:
- Gas fees depend on network demand/capacity, unaffected by consensus change.
- Scalability improvements (e.g., sharding) are slated for future upgrades.
👉 Explore Ethereum's Layer 2 solutions to optimize transaction costs today.
Staked ETH Redemption
Lock-Up Period:
- Staked ETH cannot be withdrawn immediately post-Merge.
- Planned Shanghai Upgrade (6–12 months later) will enable phased redemptions with potential rate limits.
FAQ Section
1. Will the Merge make Ethereum faster?
- Not initially. Speed improvements (e.g., higher TPS) require subsequent upgrades like sharding.
2. Can I run a PoW node after the Merge?
- Yes, but it will operate on a forked chain, not the official Ethereum network.
3. How does PoS prevent centralization?
- Mechanisms like slashing and randomized validation discourage dominance by large stakeholders.
For further queries, engage with our community forums or leave a comment below.
👉 Stay updated with Ethereum’s roadmap for upcoming features like proto-danksharding.
Key Takeaways
- Ethereum Merge transitions the network to PoS, slashing energy use.
- Gas fees remain unchanged until scalability upgrades roll out.
- Staked ETH redemption unlocks via future protocol updates.
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