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Latest: Eth2 researchers are working on ways to accelerate the merge. It will probably happen earlier than expected. More soon. Follow updates

The merge

  • Eventually the current Ethereum mainnet will "merge" with the beacon chain proof-of-stake system.
  • This will mark the end of proof-of-work for Ethereum, and the full transition to proof-of-stake.
  • This is planned to precede the roll out of shard chains.
  • We formerly referred to this as "the docking."

Page last updated: June 3, 2025

When's it shipping?

~2021/22

This upgrade represents the official switch to proof-of-stake consensus. This eliminates the need for energy-intensive mining, and instead secures the network using staked ether. A truly exciting step in realizing the Eth2 vision – more scalability, security, and sustainability.

What is the merge?

It's important to remember that initially, the Beacon Chain shipped separately from mainnet - the chain we use today. Ethereum mainnet continues to be secured by proof-of-work, even while the Beacon Chain runs in parallel using proof-of-stake. The merge is when these two systems finally come together.

Imagine Ethereum is a space ship that isn’t quite ready for an interstellar voyage. With the Beacon Chain the community has built a new engine and a hardened hull. When it’s time, the current ship will dock with this new system, merging into one ship, ready to put in some serious lightyears and take on the universe.

Merging with mainnet

When ready, Ethereum mainnet will "merge" with the Beacon Chain, becoming its own shard which uses proof-of-stake instead of proof-of-work.

Mainnet will bring the ability to run smart contracts into the proof-of-stake system, plus the full history and current state of Ethereum, to ensure that the transition is smooth for all ETH holders and users.

After the merge

This will signal the end of proof-of-work for Ethereum and start the era of a more sustainable, eco-friendly Ethereum. At this point Ethereum will be one step closer to achiving the full scale, security and sustainability outlined in its Eth2 vision.

Relationship between upgrades

The Eth2 upgrades are all somewhat interrelated. So let’s recap how the merge relates to the other upgrades.

The merge and the Beacon Chain

Once the merge happens, stakers will be assigned to validate the Ethereum mainnet. Mining will no longer be required so miners will likely invest their earnings into staking in the new proof-of-stake system.

The Beacon Chain

The merge and shard chains

Originally, the plan was to work on shard chains before the merge – to address scalability. However, with the boom of layer 2 scaling solutions, the priority has shifted to swapping proof-of-work to proof-of-stake via the merge.

This will be an ongoing assessment from the community as to the need for potentially multiple rounds of shard chains to allow for endless scalability.

Shard chains