On June 8, the Ethereum Ropsten testnet successfully completed its merge. While the transition date for Ethereum’s mainnet shift to Proof-of-Stake (PoS) remains unconfirmed, this testnet merge marks a critical milestone. Following Ropsten, two additional testnets—Goerli and Sepolia—will transition to PoS before the focus shifts to the mainnet.
The Ropsten merge signifies Ethereum’s final testing phase before mainnet deployment, paving the way for a more sustainable blockchain era.
Final Phase of Ethereum’s Test Merges
Developers have spent months testing clients on Kintsugi, Kiln, and shadow forks—a novel network type created by forking small node subsets from existing chains. Shadow forks retain the main chain’s state, history, and ID, allowing merge simulations under real-world conditions. Transactions (Txs) from the main chain can be replayed, revealing node behavior pre- and post-merge.
After achieving multiple goals on shadow forks, the process entered its last phase: testnet deployment. To prepare for Ropsten’s merge, a new Ropsten Beacon Chain launched on May 30, establishing the network’s consensus foundation.
Pre- and Post-Merge Dynamics
- Consensus Layer Upgrade:
The Bellatrix upgrade (merge-compatible protocol rules) was triggered at slot height 24,000 on June 2. - Execution Layer Transition:
A Terminal Total Difficulty (TTD) value of50,000,000,000,000was set on June 3. Merging occurs when this TTD is reached. - Post-TTD Block Production:
Once execution layer surpasses TTD, the Beacon Chain validators take over block production. The merge is complete upon the first validator-generated block.
👉 Discover how PoS transforms Ethereum’s energy efficiency
After Ropsten, Goerli and Sepolia will transition to PoS in the coming weeks. Upon their stabilization, a Bellatrix upgrade slot height and mainnet TTD will be finalized, enabling full PoS transition.
Key Milestones Toward Mainnet Merge
| Milestone | Status |
|---|---|
| Shadow Fork Deployment | ✅ Completed |
| Client Testing | ✅ Completed |
| Cross-Testnet Deployment | 🔄 Ongoing |
The shift to PoS will retire Ethereum’s energy-intensive Proof-of-Work (PoW) model, reducing energy use by 99.5%.
ETH Supply-Demand Dynamics Post-Merge
The merge slashes ETH issuance by 90%, replacing daily sell pressure with buy pressure—equivalent to three Bitcoin halvings.
Core Metrics & Assumptions
- F1. PoW Issuance: ~13,200 ETH/day to miners.
- F2. PoS Issuance: ~1,590 ETH/day to stakers (90% reduction).
- F3. Fee Revenue: ~$10M/day (7-day average).
- F4. Burned Fees: 85% (per EIP-1559).
Assumptions:
– Miners sell 80% of earned ETH (due to operational costs).
– Stakers sell only 10% (aligned with long-term holding incentives).
👉 Explore ETH’s post-merge economic model
Structural Supply vs. Demand
- PoW:
- Sell Pressure: $19M/day
- Buy Pressure: $8.5M/day
-
Net Effect: $10.5M daily sell pressure.
-
PoS:
- Sell Pressure: $300K/day
- Buy Pressure: $8.5M/day
- Net Effect: $8.2M daily buy pressure.
Even if stakers sold 100% of rewards, the merge still creates net buy pressure.
FAQs
1. Why is the Ropsten merge significant?
It’s the final testnet trial before Ethereum’s mainnet transitions to PoS, ensuring scalability and sustainability.
2. How does PoS reduce Ethereum’s energy use?
By eliminating competitive mining, PoS cuts energy consumption by 99.5% compared to PoW.
3. What happens to ETH issuance post-merge?
Daily issuance drops from ~13,200 ETH to ~1,590 ETH, reducing sell pressure from miners.
4. How does EIP-1559 affect ETH’s supply?
85% of transaction fees are burned, creating deflationary pressure and structural demand.
5. When will the mainnet merge occur?
After Goerli and Sepolia testnets stabilize, but no official date is set.
6. Could the merge impact ETH’s price?
Yes—reduced supply and shifted demand dynamics may drive long-term price appreciation.
Conclusion
The merge is Ethereum’s most complex upgrade to date, fundamentally altering its economic and environmental footprint. By replacing sell pressure with buy pressure and slashing energy use, PoS positions ETH for sustainable growth.
Key Takeaways:
– Testnet merges validate mainnet readiness.
– PoS reduces ETH issuance by 90%, akin to 3 BTC halvings.
– Fee burning + reduced sell pressure = structural demand.
Ethereum’s evolution underscores its commitment to scalability, sustainability, and long-term value creation.