Ethereum (ETH), the second largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization after Bitcoin, is on the brink of significant changes. Since transitioning to Proof-of-Stake in 2022, the network has been actively developing. What awaits Ethereum in the near future — and how will it affect its price?
1. Danksharding and EIP-4844 (Proto-Danksharding)
The main technical update is the implementation of EIP-4844. It will lower transaction costs in L2 networks (Arbitrum, Optimism, etc.) and increase Ethereum's throughput. This will be a step towards the full implementation of Danksharding — a scalable architecture that is critically important for the network's future.
2. Growth of Layer 2 solutions
L2 networks are becoming increasingly popular, and transactions in them still use ETH to pay fees. This increases the demand for Ether, especially given its scarcity due to staking and burning (EIP-1559).
3. Institutional interest and potential ETFs
With the approval of an Ethereum ETF, interest from institutional investors could sharply increase. This will create additional buying pressure and may push the price upward.
4. Regulatory risks
The status of ETH as a 'security' or 'commodity' remains contentious. Strict regulatory measures could temporarily impact the price, particularly in the U.S.
Forecast
If technical updates are successfully implemented and the regulatory environment remains moderate, ETH could reach new highs ($4,800+) within the next 1-2 years. Key drivers include the growing use of Ethereum in DeFi, NFTs, L2, and enterprise solutions.
