Ethereum is preparing for a significant network upgrade with the Fusaka hard fork now live on the blockchain’s final testnet, Hoodi. This milestone clears the path for the mainnet release scheduled for December 3, which aims to enhance Ethereum’s scalability and security features.
Nethermind, a prominent validator client developer, confirmed the successful execution of the fork on the Hoodi testnet through a post on X, stating, “Another smooth upgrade, another key milestone on the road to Fusaka.” This signals readiness for the impending launch on Ethereum’s main network.
The Fusaka upgrade integrates several Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) designed to improve network efficiency. Among these is EIP-7594, introducing Peer Data Availability Sampling (PeerDAS). This innovation allows validators to process smaller data segments on layer 2 networks rather than entire data blobs, thereby increasing node operational efficiency.
Additional EIPs incorporated include EIP-7825 and EIP-7935, which focus on raising Ethereum’s gas limit and optimizing transaction processing. These improvements are crucial as Ethereum approaches the implementation of parallel execution, a feature enabling the simultaneous processing of multiple smart contracts to boost throughput. The update also addresses enhancements for zero-knowledge rollups, an important scaling solution.
The deployment of Fusaka unfolds in three distinct phases: the initial mainnet activation, followed by the implementation of increased blob capacity through targeted EIPs, and concluding with a subsequent hard fork to finalize blob capacity enhancements.
This technical advancement comes during a period of notable leadership changes at the Ethereum Foundation, with several key contributors stepping down while voicing concerns about the project’s direction. Despite these internal dynamics, Ethereum’s native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), has reached new yearly highs, fueled by growing interest from exchange-traded funds and corporate treasury adoptions.
Once Fusaka is successfully implemented, the community’s focus will shift to the next upgrade in the “Surge” phase of Ethereum’s technical roadmap: the Glamsterdam upgrade. This future update continues the pursuit of scalability improvements vital for Ethereum’s long-term competitiveness.
Fundamentally, Fusaka aims to address scalability, a critical component of the so-called “blockchain trilemma”—the balance between decentralization, security, and scalability first defined by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin. Historically, Ethereum has prioritized decentralization and security, while competing layer 1 blockchains like Solana and Sui have emphasized transaction speed and scalability.
The release of Fusaka follows roughly six months after Ethereum’s previous major upgrade, Pectra, which primarily focused on enhancing staking mechanics and improving user wallet features to elevate the overall user experience.
