Ethereum News Today: Ethereum November 5 Fusaka Upgrade Boosts Gas Limit 20.6% to 45M Aims Raise TPS 18

Ethereum’s upcoming Fusaka upgrade, scheduled for November 5, 2025, represents a critical step in addressing scalability and transaction efficiency challenges on the network [1]. The upgrade will implement 11 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), including adjustments to gas limits and security enhancements, reflecting a broader strategy to compete with rival blockchain ecosystems and Layer 2 (L2) solutions [4]. The gas limit is set to increase from 37.3 million to 45 million, supported by over 50% of validators and advocated by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin, who also proposed a per-transaction gas cap of 16.77 million to prevent block congestion [2]. This adjustment is expected to boost transaction throughput from approximately 15 to 18 transactions per second (TPS), offering incremental relief during peak usage [2].

The Pectra upgrade in May 2025 laid foundational groundwork, including doubling L2 scaling capacity, adding smart contract functionality to wallets, and improving validator interfaces [1]. However, Ethereum faces mounting pressure from Solana and L2 networks, which have captured significant on-chain activity due to faster execution and lower fees. Sygnum analysts highlight that shifting transaction volumes to L2s have reduced ETH’s perceived value, exacerbating competition for Ethereum’s dominance in decentralized applications (dapps) [1]. The Fusaka upgrade aims to mitigate these challenges by refining gas mechanics and optimizing node performance. The Geth 1.16.0 update, which reduced archive node storage requirements from 20 terabytes to 1.9 terabytes, complements these efforts to maintain decentralization while improving scalability [2].

Despite these advancements, debates persist over the balance between scalability and centralization risks. Larger blocks, enabled by the gas limit increase, may strain smaller nodes, potentially concentrating validation power among well-resourced operators [2]. The Ethereum community remains divided: validators and DeFi projects broadly support the changes, while node operators express caution over rising hardware costs [2]. The upgrade also aligns with Ethereum’s long-term roadmap, which envisions further gas limit increases to 60 million for the Fusaka fork and a potential cap of 150 million in the future [2]. Such incremental adjustments aim to position Ethereum as a competitive platform for high-volume applications, though analysts emphasize that Fusaka is not a “disruptive” overhaul but a strategic reinforcement of adaptability [5].

The timing of the upgrade coincides with heightened investor attention, as Ethereum’s exit queue—the number of tokens being withdrawn from exchanges—has surged, signaling potential selling pressure [6]. Analysts speculate that if these tokens are absorbed by institutional treasuries or financial institutions, Ethereum’s price dynamics could mirror Bitcoin’s trajectory. However, the upgrade’s immediate impact on ETH’s price is expected to be limited, with the focus remaining on technical improvements rather than short-term market volatility [6].

Ethereum’s shift from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake has streamlined decision-making but intensified scrutiny over validator influence, particularly as rewards for supporting higher gas limits grow [2]. The Ethereum Foundation has emphasized a cautious approach to scaling, prioritizing stability over rapid expansion. As the November 5 deadline approaches, the blockchain community will closely monitor testnet implementations and network performance metrics. If successful, Fusaka could lay the groundwork for Ethereum to handle thousands of transactions per second in the coming years, advancing its vision as a global settlement layer for decentralized finance and beyond [1][5].

Source:

[1] [Ethereum Sets November 5 for Fusaka Mainnet Upgrade](https://www.binance.com/en/square/post/07-26-2025-ethereum-sets-november-5-for-fusaka-mainnet-upgrade-eyes-glamsterdam-proposals-27461928283073)

[2] [Ethereum Gas Limit May Increase to 45M](https://www.blockchain-council.org/cryptocurrency/ethereum-gas-limit-may-increase-to-45m/)

[4] [EtherWorld Weekly — Edition 323](https://etherworld.co/2025/07/26/etherworld-weekly-edition-323/)

[5] [Ethereum Fusaka Hard Fork Outlook: Focus on Scaling Upgrades](https://www.coinlive.com/en/news/ethereum-fusaka-hard-fork-outlook-focus-on-scaling-upgrades)

[6] [Ethereum Exit Queue Surges, Investors Watch Closely](https://m.economictimes.com/crypto-news-today-live-26-jul-2025/liveblog/122911908.cms)