Ethereum News Today: Ethereum Upgrade Boosts L2 Efficiency, Cuts Node Load Ahead of December Launch

Ethereum's much-anticipated Fusaka upgrade is set to activate on December 3, 2025, marking a pivotal step in the network's scaling journey. The upgrade introduces PeerDAS, a data availability sampling system that reduces the burden on nodes by allowing them to verify only a fraction of the data. This innovation is expected to make Ethereum more efficient and scalable, especially for Layer-2 (L2) rollups.

The Fusaka upgrade also increases Ethereum's block gas limit from 45 million to 60 million, significantly boosting the number of transactions the network can process per block. Developers anticipate smoother operations and lower costs for users, particularly on popular L2 platforms like Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base.

With the upgrade, Ethereum aims to balance scalability with decentralization. Node operators will face reduced bandwidth and storage demands, ensuring that even small-scale validators can participate effectively.

How the Fusaka Upgrade Enhances Ethereum's Scaling

PeerDAS is one of the most transformative features of the Fusaka upgrade. It allows nodes to sample only parts of the data rather than downloading entire blocks. This shift reduces the data load on nodes by up to 85%, making it easier for more individuals to run nodes and reinforcing the network's decentralization.

The upgrade also introduces "Blob Parameter Only (BPO)" forks, which allow Ethereum to incrementally adjust blob capacity without waiting for major network-wide hard forks. This flexibility enables the network to respond more efficiently to demand from L2s. Additionally, Ethereum has a new gas limit cap of 60 million, which is expected to prevent large transactions from monopolizing block space and improve overall throughput.

For L2s, the increased data capacity and lower costs are particularly significant. Rollups can now post more data at a lower cost, which should result in 40–60% lower fees for users on L2 platforms. This efficiency gain is expected to drive more adoption of Ethereum-based applications, especially in the decentralized finance (DeFi) and tokenized assets sectors according to market analysts.

Market Reactions and Analyst Predictions

The Ethereum network has already seen signs of the upgrade's positive impact ahead of its activation. The pending transaction pool has shrunk, and gas prices have dropped to unusually low levels, with average fees hitting just 0.04 Gwei. Analysts believe this signals improved network performance and user experience.

Investor sentiment has also been bolstered by Ethereum's recent gas limit increase, which came a week before the Fusaka upgrade. This increase, supported by over 50% of validators, marks a significant scaling milestone for the network. Some analysts predict that if demand for ETH rises by 30–50%, the price could see a strong recovery toward $3,500 in the near term according to market forecasts.

On the institutional front, companies like BitMine Immersion have been aggressively accumulating Ethereum. BitMine now holds 3.7 million ETH, valued at about $10.1 billion at current prices. This institutional confidence underscores the long-term potential of Ethereum, especially with the upcoming upgrade and the broader technical roadmap. Tom Lee, BitMine's founder, has reiterated his bullish stance, projecting a potential rebound to $7,000–$9,000 by early 2026 despite near-term volatility.

What This Means for Ethereum's Future

The Fusaka upgrade is a foundational step in Ethereum's evolution, aligning with its long-term goal of secure, scalable, and efficient infrastructure. By improving data availability and reducing node burdens, Ethereum maintains its balance between scalability and decentralization. The upgrade also sets the stage for future improvements, such as the Gloas-Amsterdam upgrade in late 2026, which is expected to further cut block times and enhance performance according to technical analysis.

For developers, the new features open up more room for innovation. The CLZ opcode, for example, simplifies smart contract arithmetic and reduces gas usage. Meanwhile, deterministic proposer lookahead allows for more predictable block proposer scheduling, improving user experience according to technical reports.

The broader ecosystem is also poised to benefit. Nansen analysts have noted that the upgrade could reshape how Ethereum captures value from L2 activity, potentially increasing its share of the overall transaction value. This shift could strengthen Ethereum's position as the dominant platform for tokenized assets and institutional settlements.

Despite the optimism, risks remain. The upgrade's success depends on widespread adoption and proper implementation by network participants. If L2s fail to fully utilize the expanded capacity, the benefits may not materialize as expected. Additionally, macroeconomic factors like interest rates and broader crypto sentiment will continue to influence Ethereum's price trajectory according to market analysts.

Still, the Fusaka upgrade represents a major milestone. It reinforces Ethereum's commitment to scalability while preserving its core values of security and decentralization. As the network moves forward, the combination of institutional backing, technical progress, and user adoption could drive the next phase of growth for Ethereum and its ecosystem.