Ethereum's upcoming major upgrade, Fusaka, has been successfully deployed on the blockchain's final testnet, Hoodi. This crucial step paves the way for its mainnet launch, scheduled for December, which is expected to introduce significant scalability and security enhancements to the network.
Nethermind, a prominent validator client developer, confirmed the smooth transition in a post to X, stating, "Another smooth upgrade, another key milestone on the road to Fusaka." The successful fork on the testnet marks a significant achievement for the Ethereum ecosystem.
The Fusaka upgrade integrates several Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs). Notably, EIP-7594, known as Peer Data Availability Sampling (PeerDAS), will allow validators to read smaller data segments on layer 2 networks instead of full blobs, thereby enhancing node efficiency.
Further enhancements come with EIP-7825 and EIP-7935, which are designed to increase the gas limit and improve overall efficiency. These changes are particularly important as Ethereum prepares to enable parallel execution, allowing for the simultaneous processing of multiple smart contracts. The update also includes EIPs specifically focused on improving zero-knowledge rollups.
This technical milestone occurs amidst notable shifts within the Ethereum Foundation, including changes in leadership and the departure of key contributors. These developments have sparked discussions about the future direction of the network.
In parallel, the price of Ether (ETH) has seen a significant rise this year, influenced by increased inflows into exchange-traded funds and growing adoption by corporate treasuries.
Fusaka: A Three-Part Deployment Process
The implementation of Fusaka will unfold in three distinct stages. The first stage involves the actual mainnet launch. Following this, the EIP that facilitates the increase in blob capacity will be activated. The final stage will see the activation of the second blob capacity hard fork.
Once Fusaka is fully implemented, the focus will shift to the Glamsterdam upgrade. Glamsterdam is another component of the "Surge" phase of Ethereum's technical roadmap, which is dedicated to enhancing the network's scalability.
Addressing Scalability in the Blockchain Trilemma
The Fusaka upgrade aims to bolster Ethereum's scalability, a critical component of the "blockchain trilemma" conceptualized by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin. This trilemma also encompasses decentralization and security, aspects that Ethereum has historically prioritized.
While Ethereum has focused on decentralization and security, many competing layer 1 blockchains, such as Solana and Sui, have prioritized scalability to offer faster transaction speeds and compete with Ethereum's capabilities.
The Fusaka hard fork follows Ethereum's last major upgrade, Pectra, which was implemented approximately six months ago. The Pectra upgrade primarily focused on improving staking performance and enhancing wallet features for a better user interface and experience.