Ethereum Increases Gas Limit Post-Merge Amidst Community Support

By: Eliza Bennet

In a significant move signaling Ethereum's ongoing commitment to scalability, the network has modified its gas limit for the first time since the Merge, a transition to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus model in 2022. On February 4, according to Etherscan, the gas limit reached a record-breaking 35.3 million at block 21771507, after a community-driven validator vote where approximately 52% favored the increase, as reported by Gaslimit.pics.

This development, which does not necessitate a hard fork, raises the limit to 32 million gas units, with projections to expand further to 36 million. The Ethereum network last underwent a similar adjustment in late 2021, with the limit increasing from 15 million to 30 million units. The change is expected to enable more transactions per block, reduce network congestion, stabilize transaction fees, and enhance the network’s capacity to manage complex decentralized applications and smart contracts.

Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum's co-founder, expressed support for this modification, highlighting the delicate balance between scaling and decentralization. He pointed towards the ongoing discussions and Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) 4444 to ensure alignment with decentralization goals. Moreover, Buterin talked about the forthcoming Pectra update in March, which will increase the network’s blob count, suggesting a potential shift towards staker-voted changes to adapt quickly to technological advancements.

While this adjustment aims to improve Ethereum’s efficiency, it also places additional processing demands on network nodes, a concern highlighted in the community. Notably, independent educator Anthony Sassano has speculated an eventual increase of Ethereum’s mainnet gas limit to at least 50 million by the year's end, a development that would significantly boost the network’s transaction processing capabilities. This reflects Ethereum's proactive steps amid record volatility within the cryptocurrency market, showcasing its adaptation and growth in response to ever-evolving technological and market demands.