The Ethereum Merge was a significant upgrade to the Ethereum blockchain that transitioned it from a proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. This transition involved several stages:
- Bellatrix: This was the first stage of the Merge. It activated the necessary changes on the Beacon Chain, the new chain that would eventually replace the existing Ethereum Mainnet.
- Paris: This stage was also known as the “Merge” itself. It involved the finalization of the transition from PoW to PoS. The Ethereum Mainnet was merged with the Beacon Chain, and the PoW consensus mechanism was disabled.
- Surge: This stage is focused on improving the scalability of the Ethereum network. It involves various upgrades and optimizations to increase the network’s transaction capacity and reduce fees.
- Verge: This stage is aimed at enhancing the privacy and security of the Ethereum network. It will involve upgrades to improve the privacy of transactions and protect against various security threats.
- Capella: This stage is focused on improving the functionality and usability of the Ethereum network. It will involve various upgrades and enhancements to make the network more user-friendly and efficient.
It’s important to note that the specific timeline for each stage may vary, and the exact details of the upgrades may change as development progresses.
