Ethereum, the world’s second-largest blockchain, is on the cusp of a transformative upgrade. Dubbed Fusaka, it is set to undergo two testnet phases this month, with a potential launch on the Ethereum mainnet scheduled for the end of November.
For investors, developers, and blockchain enthusiasts alike, the upgrade promises not only immediate improvements but also a bold vision for Ethereum’s next decade.
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To understand the impact of Fusaka, Yahoo Finance UK spoke with Dankrad Feist, co-lead of the protocol architecture team at the Ethereum Foundation, who described the upgrade as a culmination of years of research into scaling Ethereum.
At its heart, Fusaka is all about making Ethereum (ETH-USD) faster and cheaper to use. It does this by improving how data is handled, which helps “rollups” — secondary chains like Base, Arbitrum, and Optimism — work more efficiently. These rollups run on top of Ethereum and let users enjoy the same features but at a much lower cost.
“The main thing Fusaka does is it provides much more space for rollups… they will have much more ability to scale based on this, like they can provide a lot more capacity to the users. Correspondingly, the transaction costs will go down. So this is a really exciting one, and it will hopefully bring great benefits to Ethereum users,” Feist said.
In practical terms, this means Ethereum could handle more transactions per second while reducing fees, which would be key improvements for both developers and everyday users.
Feist suggested Fusaka could rival the Merge, Ethereum’s landmark transition to proof-of-stake validation in 2022, in terms of long-term significance for the blockchain.
“I would say it is definitely one of the upgrades that is close to even the Merge in terms of how we’ve looked forward to having this major scaling technology integrated into Ethereum,” Feist said.
The Merge marked Ethereum’s shift to a more sustainable energy model, while Fusaka aims to solve the challenge of scaling efficiently and economically.
What might Ethereum look like in 2035?
Feist predicted that blockchain technology will increasingly integrate with everyday financial services, making it accessible to ordinary users who may never directly interact with crypto wallets or blockchain interfaces.
“The kind of users that we’re going to see over the next 10 years are just normal people who want their everyday problem solved… they will probably interact with blockchains in a way that’s much more like a FinTech,” he said.
Ethereum and similar networks may underpin a wide range of financial services, from cross-border payments to lending platforms.
Feist also highlighted the potential for Ethereum to provide services to previously underserved populations, such as those without access to traditional banking. “Some of the stuff that’s happening is using blockchain technology… it provides major benefits to users. Transparency, accessibility, and services to people who aren’t served by traditional financial infrastructure,” he said.
Scaling Ethereum for global impact
Fusaka is a key step in Ethereum’s plan to let multiple connected blockchains work together securely and efficiently, helping the overall Ethereum network grow without slowing down.
“We want to have the Ethereum layer at the centre, provide liquidity to everyone, with something like 100x scaling from where we are now is quite possible, and we should really do it to maximise the value that Ethereum can provide,” Feist said.
This ambition positions Ethereum not just as a cryptocurrency but as a foundational layer for a global ‘Internet of value’, capable of supporting diverse applications across finance, commerce, and beyond.
By enabling cheaper, faster, and more scalable interactions, it sets the stage for further adoption of Ethereum and deeper integration into everyday financial services.
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