In September of 2022, the Ethereum blockchain completed a major upgrade known as “The Merge”. 

This upgrade made the blockchain more efficient, more environmentally friendly, and it set the stage for faster transactions and lower costs in the future.

The Merge transitioned Ethereum to a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchain. 

Instead of solving complex math problems to mine the next block, users now simply have to lock up ETH in a process known as “staking” in order to run the blockchain.

Environmentally friendly

Prior to The Merge, running the Ethereum network required a lot of computer power and electricity.

The Merge reduced Ethereum’s environmental impact by 99.55%.

Ready for institutional adoption

Before The Merge, many global corporations and banks weren’t allowed to use Ethereum due to its massive carbon footprint. 

With this issue gone, the door has opened for wider crypto adoption.

Deflationary

Unlike Bitcoin, which has a limited supply, Ether was being created constantly prior to The Merge. 

Today, it’s the opposite — Ether is constantly being taken out of circulation, thus reducing its overall supply.

Ethereum has more upgrades ahead of it. 

Their overall goal is to enable even faster and cheaper transactions. These upgrades riff off “The Merge” name and are called "The Surge”, "The Verge”, "The Purge”, and "The Splurge”.