Ethereum is upgrading to improve its performance and capabilities in several key areas. The upgrade is known as Ethereum 2.0, and it is being implemented in phases.
One of the main reasons for the upgrade is to address the scalability issues of the Ethereum network. Currently, the network can only process around 15-45 transactions per second, which is significantly less than the capacity of traditional payment systems like Visa or Mastercard.
Ethereum 2.0 is introducing a new mechanism called sharding, which will allow the network to process many more transactions in parallel, significantly increasing its capacity.
Another reason for the upgrade is to improve the security and decentralization of the network. Ethereum 2.0 is introducing a new consensus mechanism called proof-of-stake, which will replace the current proof-of-work mechanism.
Proof-of-stake is more energy-efficient and secure, and it will also make it easier for more people to participate in securing the network by staking their Ethereum holdings.
The upgrade is also introducing other features such as improved smart contract functionality, better privacy, and interoperability with other blockchains.
Overall, Ethereum 2.0 is expected to significantly improve the performance, security, and capabilities of the Ethereum network, making it a more robust and scalable platform for decentralized applications and digital assets.