Ethereum “Merge” Officially Goes Live

Ethereum “Merge” Officially Goes Live

The long-awaited upgrade to Ethereum known as the Merge, which will transform the digital infrastructure at the center of the second-largest cryptocurrency into a system that uses a great deal less energy, has finally been completed.

It has taken years for something to develop and be delayed.

From the beginning, it was anticipated that Ethereum will eventually convert to proof-of-stake. However, the transition required a difficult technological effort, one that was so dangerous that many questioned whether it would even succeed.

“The metaphor that I use is this idea of switching out an engine from a running car,” said Justin Drake, a researcher at the non-profit Ethereum Foundation who spoke to CoinDesk before the Merge happened. “I like to think of it as kind of like the switch from gasoline to electric.”

“There’s a part of me which hasn’t completely realized that this is actually happening,” Drake said.

“I’m somewhat in denial, you know because I’ve trained myself to just expect it to happen in the future.”

Ethereum’s developers claim that the upgrade would increase the network’s security and scalability. The network already supports a $60 billion ecosystem of cryptocurrency exchanges, lending organizations, non-fungible token (NFT) marketplaces, and other apps.

When the Merge officially took off, over 41,000 people were tuned in on YouTube to an “Ethereum Mainnet Merge Viewing Party.” After about 15 long minutes, the Merge officially got finalized, and could officially be called a success.