Fusaka Upgrade Sparks Changes in Ethereum's Fee Structure
The recent Fusaka upgrade, implemented on December 5, marked a significant shift in how Ethereum handles blob fees. Initiated through EIP-7918, this upgrade established a higher base fee floor for blob transactions, aligning them with Layer 1 gas costs. The adjustment aims to prevent excessive use of network resources without adequate compensation. Ethereum’s primary objective is to reflect actual resource usage, ensuring rollups do not use data "for free". This correction, advocated by Ethereum researchers, aligns with their vision of a rollup-centric scaling approach.
Blob fees have been revised to meet a minimum threshold, linked to L1 execution costs. The expectation is to stimulate an increase in ETH burning, potentially doubling current rates over time. The introduction of PeerDAS technology further enhances storage capacity, effectively managing network congestion. This decisive cost-based regulation is expected to affect L2 transaction volumes, realigning usage and economic sustainability on the Ethereum network.
Yi Lihua of Liquid Capital suggests this initiative corrects prior undervaluation of blob space, potentially boosting network efficiency. "The Fusaka upgrade’s new mechanism corrects earlier underpricing of blob space," says Yi Lihua. Industry reactions highlight possible bearish impacts on L2 entities that rely heavily on low-cost data options. However, there is a broad consensus on its bullish potential for ETH due to increased burn rates and enhanced network economics. Discussions continue across developer channels, focusing on parameter tuning and long-term integration effects.
Ethereum's Economic Potential as Burn Rates Forecast to Rise
The Fusaka upgrade is poised to increase burned ETH by up to 50% by 2026, due to higher blob fee floors, potentially accelerating Ethereum’s evolution as a major settlement layer.
Ethereum (ETH) currently trades at $3,030.68, with a market cap of approximately 365.79 billion USD, capturing 12.02% of the crypto market share. Though its trading volume hit 28.20 billion USD today, a decline of 5.55% was noted, signaling a volatile environment. Over the last quarter, the value of ETH has decreased by 35.36%, as reported by CoinMarketCap.
Coincu's research team observes an upward trajectory in ETH burn potential, which could reinforce Ethereum’s position as a preeminent settlement layer. Increasing blob fees pave the way for sustainable scalability, furthering technical independence and robust network growth over time. The ongoing improvements suggest promising long-term economic implications, with technological enhancements empowering resource management.