Ethereum 2.0 Progress and Key Milestones
According to Coinbase engineers, Ethereum 2.0 (now referred to as the "consensus layer") is projected to complete its merge with the mainnet by Q2 2022. This pivotal upgrade will transition Ethereum from energy-intensive proof-of-work (PoW) to scalable proof-of-stake (PoS), addressing long-standing concerns about scalability, energy efficiency, and transaction costs.
- Unlocking 800K ETH: The merge will initially release approximately 800,000 staked ETH, potentially impacting market liquidity.
- Post-Merge Benefits: Expect faster transactions (~100,000 TPS via sharding), reduced gas fees, and a 99.95% drop in energy consumption.
Market Trends: ETH and BTC Rally
- ETH Hits All-Time High: Ethereum surged to new peaks, fueled by institutional interest in DeFi and NFT sectors.
- **BTC Breaks $65K**: Bitcoin surpassed $65,000, driven by macroeconomic hedging demand and increased adoption by corporations.
Shiba Inu (SHIB) Gains Mainstream Traction
- AMC Theatres Considers SHIB Payments: Following a Twitter poll where 180K users voted in favor, AMC announced plans to integrate SHIB as a payment option, mirroring its earlier Bitcoin and Dogecoin support.
- Social Media Milestone: SHIB’s Twitter following eclipsed Ethereum’s, reaching 1.8 million—a testament to its meme coin appeal and community-driven growth.
👉 Explore how Ethereum 2.0 could reshape crypto investing
FAQs
1. When will Ethereum 2.0 fully launch?
The merge is slated for Q2 2022, with sharding (phase 2) expected by late 2023.
2. How will unlocked ETH affect the market?
While 800K ETH entering circulation may cause short-term volatility, long-term holders are likely to restake for PoS rewards.
3. Why is SHIB gaining retail adoption?
Its low entry price, celebrity endorsements, and utility in metaverse/NFT projects fuel speculative and practical demand.
4. What’s driving Bitcoin’s price surge?
Inflation hedging, spot ETF approvals, and institutional adoption (e.g., Tesla, MicroStrategy) remain key catalysts.
👉 Stay updated on crypto market trends
Note: All data reflects market conditions at the time of writing. Always conduct independent research before investing.