The Fusaka upgrade for Ethereum is set for November and focuses on expanding the network while prioritizing stability. It aims to reduce Layer-2 costs and improve interactions for validators and users through technical adjustments.
Technical summary and main updates
Fusaka improves data availability and state storage to make the base layer more efficient. PeerDAS introduces peer-to-peer sampling that verifies large data sets without full downloads, allowing the protocol to process substantially more blobs per block and reducing base-layer load.
Verkle trees make state proofs compact and reduce node storage requirements, which simplifies participation for nodes and light clients and lowers the long-term cost of running infrastructure on the network.
Certain complex proposals have been deferred or temporarily removed to protect deployment stability, including parts of the Ethereum Object Format (EOF) integration, which were postponed to reduce schedule and security risk while core improvements roll out.
Operational and cost impact
Fusaka is expected to lower Layer-2 fees by streamlining how rollups post and verify data on L1, directly benefiting rollups and the applications that rely on them and improving user-facing costs.
Adjustments to gas limits and improved data posting increase the operational capacity of blocks, which helps the network handle high-demand periods with fewer failures and smoother throughput for users and builders.
Support for additional signature schemes such as secp256r1 improves compatibility with mobile devices and hardware wallets, reducing friction for end users and broadening the range of wallets that can interoperate securely with Ethereum.
Timeline and testnets
The Ethereum Foundation and client teams have warned that delays are possible due to client integration work and security audits, and to mitigate risks some complex components were pushed back from the initial timeline.
Holesky testnet will shut down after Fusaka and Hoodi is planned as the follow-up testnet for validators and staking providers, giving teams a migration path while maintaining testing capacity for consensus and execution clients.
Key risks
- Adoption delays: Coordination with client teams may shift the implementation past the planned November window, affecting rollout timing.
- Integration complexity: Verkle and PeerDAS require changes across clients and rollups, increasing testing needs and the potential for regressions.
- Operational security: Cryptographic and consensus adjustments must be carefully audited to avoid introducing vulnerabilities during or after deployment.
Implications for financial sovereignty
Lower fees and broader wallet support enhance financial inclusion and reduce dependence on centralized intermediaries, making decentralized services more accessible from everyday devices and strengthening users’ control over their assets against censorship and concentration risks.
Fusaka represents a pragmatic step toward scaling Ethereum with a strong emphasis on stability while delivering meaningful improvements in data availability and state storage. If the implementation proceeds as planned, Fusaka should reduce costs for rollups and improve user experience, though technical and scheduling risks remain; for tracking and technical references see ethereum.org.
