Ethereum Proposes 100x Gas Limit Increase for 2,000 TPS

Ethereum is considering a significant upgrade that could dramatically enhance its transaction processing capabilities. The proposed change involves increasing the gas limit from its current 36 million to an impressive 3.6 billion. This substantial increase is aimed at accommodating around 6,000 transactions per block, a marked improvement from the current capacity.

The gas limit is a critical parameter in the Ethereum network, determining the maximum amount of computational effort that can be spent on transactions within a block. By boosting the gas limit to 3.6 billion, the network could potentially handle up to 2,000 transactions per second (TPS), a significant leap from its current throughput. This enhancement would make Ethereum more competitive with other high-throughput blockchain platforms and traditional payment systems, which often boast TPS in the thousands.

This ambitious plan, spearheaded by researcher Dankrad Feist, could transform Ethereum’s scalability, positioning it more competitively against other blockchain platforms. Feist remarked, “By introducing a predictable exponential growth pattern, this EIP encourages a sustainable and transparent gas limit trajectory,” emphasizing the importance of alignment with future technological advancements.

The proposal is designed to implement a deterministic gas limit growth schedule which initiates at epoch 369017, projected for June 1. This plan involves a gradual increase, multiplying the gas limit by ten over two years. Such a structured approach aims to provide developers ample time to adapt, fostering resilience and efficiency within the network.

While the increase in gas limit promises numerous benefits, it is not without challenges. Feist expressed concerns that a rapid escalation could adversely affect less-optimized nodes and complicate block propagation times. “The gradual increments provide a buffer period for developers and node operators to optimize,” he assures.

In parallel, another improvement proposal, EIP-9678, aims to quadruple the gas limit in the upcoming Fusaka hard fork, anticipated to roll out in late 2025. As Ethereum gears up for its upcoming Pectra upgrade in May, the dual focus on evolving both layer-one and layer-two solutions indicates a comprehensive strategy for scalability.

In summary, Ethereum’s EIP-9698 could mark a pivotal advancement in blockchain scalability. As the project moves forward, careful monitoring of network performance and community feedback will be crucial. This proactive approach not only positions Ethereum for enhanced transaction capacity but also ensures a thoughtful evolution in its architecture, preparing it for future challenges in the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency landscape.