Ethereum
Ethereum Co-Founder Buterin Introduces ‘The Splurge’ Upgrade

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has unveiled “The Splurge,” a comprehensive set of protocol upgrades aimed at addressing a variety of challenges within the Ethereum ecosystem. In his latest blog post titled “Possible futures of the Ethereum protocol, part 6: The Splurge,” Buterin delves into the technical intricacies of upcoming enhancements that seek to propel Ethereum toward a more performant, secure, and scalable future.
“The Splurge” is designed to tackle a collection of “little things” in Ethereum protocol design that don’t neatly fit into existing upgrade categories. According to Buterin, these elements are “very valuable for Ethereum’s success” but require a dedicated focus due to their complexity and significance.
What Is Ethereum’s ‘The Splurge’?
The key goals of The Splurge include bringing the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) to a more performant and stable “endgame state,” integrating account abstraction directly into the protocol to enhance security and user convenience, optimizing transaction fee economics to increase scalability while mitigating risks, and exploring cutting-edge cryptographic techniques to significantly improve Ethereum in the long term.
Buterin emphasizes the need to refine the EVM, stating that “the EVM today is difficult to statically analyze, making it challenging to create highly efficient implementations, formally verify code, and make further extensions over time.” The introduction of the EVM Object Format (EOF) is the first step in the EVM improvement roadmap, scheduled for inclusion in the next hard fork. EOF introduces features such as the separation of code and data, the banning of dynamic jumps in favor of static jumps, the removal of gas observability within EVM code, and the addition of an explicit subroutine mechanism.
EOF lays the groundwork for further upgrades like the EVM Modular Arithmetic Extensions (EVM-MAX) and the integration of Single-Instruction-Multiple-Data (SIMD) capabilities. These enhancements aim to make the EVM more efficient for advanced cryptographic operations without relying heavily on precompiles. “After EOF is introduced, it becomes easier to introduce further upgrades,” Buterin notes.
Account abstraction has been a long-standing goal for Ethereum, aiming to allow smart contract code to control transaction verification. “At the core, account abstraction is simple: allow transactions to be initiated by smart contracts, and not just EOAs,” Buterin explains. This capability could enable a range of applications, from quantum-resistant cryptography to seamless key rotation and improved wallet security.
ERC-4337 serves as a current solution for implementing account abstraction without modifying the core protocol. It introduces a new object called “user operations” and separates transaction processing into validation and execution phases. However, Buterin points out inefficiencies in this approach, particularly the “flat ~100k gas overhead per bundle.”
EIP-7702 is proposed to bring the convenience benefits of account abstraction to all users, including externally owned accounts (EOAs), by integrating it directly into the protocol. This move could unify the ecosystem and eliminate the need for relayers in privacy protocols. “EIP-7702 makes the ‘convenience features’ of account abstraction available to all users, including EOAs, today,” Buterin writes.
While EIP-1559 has improved average block inclusion times and fee predictability, Buterin acknowledges imperfections in its implementation. He notes that “the formula is slightly flawed” and “doesn’t adjust fast enough in extreme conditions.” The proposed EIP-7706 aims to address these issues by introducing multidimensional gas fees, allowing for separate pricing and limits for different resources like calldata, state reads/writes, and state size expansion.
“Multidimensional gas has two primary tradeoffs: it adds complexity to the protocol and to the optimal algorithm needed to fill a block to capacity,” Buterin explains. However, he suggests that the benefits in efficiency and resource management could outweigh these complexities.
The introduction of Verifiable Delay Functions (VDFs) aims to improve the randomness in Ethereum’s proposer selection process. “Ideally, we would find a more robust source of randomness,” Buterin states. VDFs could offer a solution by providing outputs that are computationally intensive to produce but easy to verify, reducing the potential for manipulation. Challenges remain, such as “unexpected optimization” through hardware acceleration or parallelization. “Currently, there is no VDF construction that fully satisfies Ethereum researchers on all axes,” Buterin admits, indicating that further research and development are needed.
Moreover, Buterin explores the “far future of cryptography” by discussing advanced concepts like indistinguishability obfuscation and one-shot signatures. He refers to these as part of the “Egyptian god protocols,” extremely powerful cryptographic primitives that could revolutionize blockchain technology. Indistinguishability obfuscation allows for the creation of “encrypted programs” that perform arbitrary computations while keeping internal details hidden. “With obfuscation and one-shot signatures together, we can build almost perfect trustless third parties,” Buterin asserts.
Potential applications include secure DAOs and auctions, universal trusted setups, and simplified verification of zero-knowledge proofs. Despite their promise, these technologies are still in their infancy. “There is a heck of a lot left to do,” Buterin concedes. Implementations of indistinguishability obfuscation currently face significant performance hurdles, and practical quantum computers capable of enabling one-shot signatures remain theoretical.
By tackling EVM improvements, account abstraction, transaction fee optimization, and exploring the frontiers of cryptography, Buterin aims to keep Ethereum at the forefront of blockchain innovation. While acknowledging the complexities and trade-offs involved, he remains optimistic. “Extremely powerful cryptography could change the game completely,” he concludes.
At press time, ETH traded at $2,627.

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Ethereum
Ethereum to Emphasize Layer-1 Efficiency and UX in Upcoming Protocol Upgrades


The Ethereum Foundation is realigning its developmental strategy to address core protocol efficiency and user experience challenges, following recent leadership changes earlier this year.
Co-executive director Tomasz Stańczak outlined the updated focus areas in a public statement on X earlier today, emphasizing that the shift is intended to strengthen Ethereum’s long-term scalability while improving near-term usability.
Protocol Upgrades and a Revised Role for Vitalik Buterin
Stańczak described the discussions surrounding Ethereum’s base-layer roadmap as extensive and community-driven, noting that the changes are designed to sharpen focus among researchers and core developers. Stańczak wrote:
Our discussions about the Layer 1 scaling roadmap have been extensive, and the feedback so far suggests that the community appreciates our ambition. Turning that ambition into reality now depends on the focus of the core development teams and researchers.
As part of its strategic transition, the Ethereum Foundation is aiming to give Vitalik Buterin more time to focus on advanced research rather than daily operational oversight.
“We aimed, among other things, to free more of Vitalik’s time for research and exploration,” Stańczak stated, adding that Buterin’s recent writings on topics like RISC-V and zkVMs have been instrumental in directing attention toward potentially “transformative technologies.”
According to Stańczak, these insights have played a significant role in realigning the Ethereum community around long-term priorities, such as privacy, modularity, and decentralized infrastructure.
Stańczak clarified that Buterin’s proposals are not mandates but starting points for community-led exploration:
Vitalik’s proposals will always carry weight, but they are intended to start conversations and encourage progress in difficult research areas.
He also stressed the importance of giving other researchers the same freedom, highlighting ongoing work by contributors like Justin Drake and Tankard Feist.
Overall. the Foundation’s research direction is now geared toward short-term outcomes that include better Layer-1 scaling, enhanced Layer-2 integration, and more “seamless” user experiences—especially in upcoming upgrades like Pectra, Fusaka, and Glamsterdam.
RISC-V Proposal and Developer Flexibility
The Foundation is also assessing the feasibility of moving from the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) to a more modern execution environment powered by RISC-V.
This proposal, initially introduced by Buterin, suggests that RISC-V could streamline execution, improve efficiency, and simplify zero-knowledge proof implementation.
“We are exploring ways to bring forward projects that currently look three to five years away,” Stańczak noted, referencing possible acceleration in next-gen execution and consensus layer development.
RISC-V’s benefits include broader language compatibility and the potential for backward compatibility with existing EVM contracts. Developers could continue using Solidity and Vyper or expand into languages like Rust.
Additionally, RISC-V could improve validator performance through hardware-level customization, while maintaining core Ethereum features such as account models and contract interactions.
As research and experimentation continue, Stańczak emphasized the importance of community input: “Ethereum researchers often ask that readers recognize the exploratory nature of their posts and proposals. Focus remains essential.”
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Ethereum
Ethereum Price Eyes $2,700 As Wyckoff Accumulation Nears Completion

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Crypto analyst Incognito has predicted that the Ethereum price could soon rally to as high as $2,700. This bullish prediction comes despite ETH’s underperformance so far, with the altcoin’s market share already dropping to new lows.
Ethereum Price Could Rally To $2,700 As Wyckoff Accumulation Nears
In a TradingView post, Incognito predicted that the Ethereum price could witness a big move to $2,700 with the Wyckoff accumulation almost over. He remarked that if support holds, the ETH should see a breakout of the falling wedge. The analyst’s accompanying chart showed that $2,499 is the target for the falling wedge, while $2,700 is the second target that Ethereum could reach on this breakout.
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However, Incognito warned that this could be a huge trap to shake out sellers, so he advised market participants to be looking to take profits. In the meantime, the Ethereum price could indeed break out to the upside, especially with the Bitcoin price attempting to reclaim the $90,000 level.

The Ethereum price is likely to reach new local highs if Bitcoin can sustain this bullish momentum, given their positive correlation. In an X post, crypto analyst Ali Martinez remarked that this week would be big for ETH as the TD Sequential just flashed a buy signal, hinting at a potential shift in momentum.
Martinez also raised the possibility of the Ethereum price recording a new bull rally. For that to happen, he mentioned that ETH needs to break the supply wall at $2,330. The leading altcoin could face significant selling pressure at that range, as 12.62 million addresses bought 68.63 million ETH around that range.
ETH May Have Already Bottomed
In an X post, crypto analyst Titan of Crypto suggested that the Ethereum price has already bottomed or may be bottoming out. He revealed that the leading altcoin is progressing within a giant ascending channel on the macro chart. His accompanying chart showed that ETH could rally to as high as $4,200 following this bullish reversal.
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Crypto analyst Hardy also echoed a similar sentiment, suggesting that the Ethereum price has already reached its bottom. He noted that ETH’s weekly candle close was bullish and a good indicator of a potential reversal at the key support level around its current price. His accompanying chart showed that Ethereum could rally to as high as $4,300 on this bullish reversal.
Ethereum price reclaiming the $4,000 level could pave the way for a rally to a new all-time high (ATH). Crypto analyst Crypto Patel predicted that ETH could reach between $6,000 and $8,000 by the end of the year.
At the time of writing, the Ethereum price is trading at around $1,639, up almost 2% in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.
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Ethereum
Ethereum Analyst Sets $3,000 Target As Price Action Signals Momentum – Details

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Ethereum and the broader crypto market experienced a small but notable pump yesterday, reigniting hopes of a potential trend reversal after weeks of sustained selling pressure. As market uncertainty intensifies, driven largely by global economic tensions and geopolitical strain between the US and China, investors are closely watching for signs of a breakout.
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Despite the headwinds, analysts are starting to shift their tone. Some believe that the worst may be behind for Ethereum and that a strong move to the upside could be brewing. One of the most vocal among them is top analyst Carl Runefelt, who shared a bold outlook, suggesting that Ethereum “might go absolutely parabolic starting from here.” His analysis suggests that ETH is poised to break out from a daily descending trendline, which could serve as a key technical signal indicating va shift in momentum in favor of the bulls.
As Ethereum holds above critical support levels and inches closer to a potential trend reversal, traders and investors are now watching closely for follow-through confirmation. If volume and sentiment continue to build, this could be the beginning of a significant rally — one that may reset expectations for the rest of the cycle.
Ethereum Eyes Recovery Amid Rising Global Tensions
Global tensions and macroeconomic uncertainty continue to weigh heavily on investor sentiment, with the ongoing trade war between the US and China sending shockwaves through equities and high-risk assets. In the midst of this fragile backdrop, Ethereum has managed to find a solid support level around $1,500 and is now attempting to reclaim higher ground. After weeks of selling pressure that erased bullish expectations for the year, ETH is showing early signs of recovery.
Ethereum’s current price structure has become a focal point for market participants. The recent bounce from $1,500 marks a potential higher low, a technical setup often associated with trend reversals. If ETH can successfully push above the $1,700 mark and break the descending trendline, it could spark renewed momentum for bulls.
Runefelt shared an optimistic view, stating that Ethereum could go up really fast from here. According to his analysis, the next key price target sits at $3,000, assuming a confirmed breakout above short-term resistance levels.

Despite continued global risks, the Ethereum network remains fundamentally strong, with growing adoption in DeFi and real-world assets. If the breakout materializes and broader market sentiment stabilizes, ETH could lead the next leg of the crypto recovery.
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Price Faces Key Resistance As Bulls Struggle for Momentum
Ethereum is currently trading at $1,630 after another failed attempt to break above the $1,700–$1,800 resistance zone. This price range has acted as a major barrier over the past several weeks, limiting bullish momentum and keeping ETH locked in a broader downtrend. Bulls must reclaim the local high at $1,691, set last week, to signal a potential shift in structure and confirm the start of a recovery rally.

A decisive move above $1,700 could open the door to a test of the $2,000 level, which would mark a significant psychological and technical milestone. However, the lack of follow-through on recent upside attempts reflects ongoing uncertainty across crypto markets, largely driven by macroeconomic tensions and risk-off sentiment.
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If Ethereum fails to gain strength above current levels, a retracement toward $1,500 is likely, with the possibility of further downside if selling pressure intensifies. This level has served as a critical support zone in recent weeks. Without a convincing breakout, ETH remains vulnerable to renewed weakness and deeper corrections. All eyes are now on whether bulls can build enough momentum to flip resistance into support and avoid another leg down.
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