The Merge was a significant upgrade to the Ethereum network, aiming to make it more environmentally friendly by reducing energy consumption. But it wasn’t the only one, as more improvements are expected in the Ethereum ecosystem, including the Surge, the Verge, the Purge, and the Splurge. These upgrades aim to increase the network’s scalability, sustainability and security, making Ethereum much more reliable. In the long run, this could benefit the crypto industry significantly, attracting more investors and eliminating concerns about the energy implications of digital assets.
The Shanghai upgrade is the second huge event in the network, set to take place in March 2023, and will bring different improvements to the Ethereum blockchain, the main one being the ability to withdraw staked ETH. Since the Beacon Chain was first launched in December 2020, users have contributed to the network by validating transactions, but this was a one-way trip, as funds were locked and, thus, unable to access. Below, we will discuss the Shanghai Upgrade in more detail to help you understand how this event will impact the eth coin price and the overall Ethereum network.
What will the withdrawal process involve?
Once the Shanghai Upgrade launches, around 16 million staked ETH will be available to validators. However, it’s worth noting that validators will have to wait for a specific period before they can unstake their ETH. This is because the blockchain has a single queue dedicated to full and partial withdrawals, and each slot enables only 16 partial withdrawals.
When unstaking their ETH, validators can choose between two options:
– unstake the rewards accumulated over time by creating a withdrawal credential;
– unstake all 32 ETH (the maximum allowed for every validator) by completely exiting the Beacon Chain.
Just as with the Merge, the Shanghai Upgrade requires different steps until it can go live successfully. Testnets, for example, are a great tool, as they enable the simulation of the ETH withdrawal. Zhejiang is the first testnet, which took place on February 1, followed by the Sepolia and Goerli testnets.
How will the Shanghai Upgrade benefit liquid staking?
The Shanghai Upgrade will drive innovation in liquid staking solutions. The increased frequency of staking, withdrawing and restaking of ETH rewards may lead to the development of more complex financial applications aiming to maximize yield and minimize risk. These applications could take the form of staking derivatives, allowing investors to gain exposure to staking rewards without holding the underlying asset. Moreover, as staked ETH becomes more liquid, it may be possible to develop lending solutions that provide people with access to ETH staking, further expanding the range of financial products available in the Ethereum ecosystem.
Shanghai will benefit individual liquidity providers by making it easier for users to manage their staked assets. This may increase the attractiveness of liquid staking platforms as a source of yield. As a result, liquid staking platforms will compete more aggressively for liquidity providers by offering extra incentives and features, like lower fees and more attractive rewards. This increased competition may result in a virtuous innovation cycle in the liquid staking space, creating better user experiences and more reliable infrastructure for staking ETH.
Will the Shanghai Upgrade trigger an increase in the ETH price?
The ability to withdraw rewards anytime will make staking more appealing for risk-averse investors, as they know they can access their funds even in times of market turbulence. This has the potential to increase the number of stakers. Moreover, Shanghai will incentivize ETH liquidity provision on decentralized exchanges, making the process less risky and ultimately benefiting the Ethereum ecosystem by increasing the efficiency of token swaps.
Shanghai will also make a difference in the Ethereum network by increasing decentralization. This is because stakers will be able to withdraw funds from a staking pool quickly, meaning they won’t be locked into it for a long time. This will result in a more distributed staking ecosystem, boosting the security and stability of the Ethereum network.
As this new era of unlocked ETH is getting close, crypto traders are trying to predict how the market will change after the Shanghai Upgrade. While some believe this event will increase the ETH price, others expect a bear market will follow. It’s hard to predict the outcome, and only time will tell whether this upgrade will bring massive opportunities to investors. However, the long-term effects are likely to be positive considering the above mentioned aspects, like ETH liquidity provision and improving decentralization.
Ethereum to reach new heights once all the upgrades are completed
Ethereum is the 2nd leading cryptocurrency for a reason: the token has proven reliable repeatedly, and investors love it because of its remarkable features and utility. But it isn’t flawless, and those within the Ethereum ecosystem know there is always room for improvement. After the first upgrade (the Merge) was announced, many were excited about what this change could mean in the world of cryptocurrencies. While it did change some things, there’s a long way to go until Ethereum bridges all the gaps in the crypto space. It’s a continuous process, and there’s no doubt that once all the upgrades are completed, the journey will be worth it, no matter how long and tempestuous. Once Ethereum’s scalability improves, the transaction speed will increase, and more transactions will be allowed per second. If the process is successful (and probably will be), there will be a crypto boom in the future.
The bottom line
It is uncertain how the Shanghai Upgrade will impact the Ethereum price, but one thing is clear: this event is another big step in improving Ethereum’s PoS network and making it more functional. It’s important to remember that crypto prices are volatile, and you should make investment decisions only after researching thoroughly. Losses are part of the crypto game, and sometimes they can significantly impact investors’ financial health. So, it is advisable to approach the market cautiously and use your judgment when investing in digital assets.
