Proof of Stake
A Successful Shapella: The Ethereum Merge Finale
BitOoda Proof of Stake Research, 4/19/23
Vivek Raman
The Ethereum hard fork dubbed Shapella (originally Shanghai, then combined with its additional name Capella to form “Shapella”) was successfully completed one week ago on April 12. The fork executed almost perfectly after several testnet trials and shadow forks. While this engineering feat was not celebrated by the mainstream, it is still a marvel that Ethereum achieves its technological upgrades in a decentralized, automated manner with zero downtime and zero need for community intervention. Shapella was a roaring success.
Although the Merge was the “main course” that drastically altered Ethereum’s economic and environmental sustainability by switching the blockchain (in mid-flight) to Proof of Stake, Shapella was effectively the “dessert” that consummated the Merge upgrade.
Proof of Stake is arguably a more long-term sustainable model for a public blockchain, as it consumes fewer resources while allowing more access for the general population to act as validators to secure the chain. However, the Merge resulted in a one-way street.
Proof of Stake Ethereum could not reach its potential of critical mass if the ability to unstake was nonexistent, which was the case since the launch of Ethereum’s Beacon Chain in Dec 2020. Shapella finally enabled this withdrawal feature.
Although over 1 million ETH (7% of the total staked ETH) have entered the withdrawal exit queue, ETH price has been resilient (in USD and BTC terms) since Shapella. Perhaps withdrawals have actually de-risked ETH for institutional players, unlocking the potential for staking growth.
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The Ethereum hard fork dubbed Shapella (originally Shanghai, then combined with its additional name Capella to form “Shapella”) was successfully completed one week ago on April 12. The fork executed almost perfectly after several testnet trials and shadow forks. While this engineering feat was not celebrated by the mainstream, it is still a marvel that Ethereum achieves its technological upgrades in a decentralized, automated manner with zero downtime and zero need for community intervention. Shapella was a roaring success.
Although the Merge was the “main course” that drastically altered Ethereum’s economic and environmental sustainability by switching the blockchain (in mid-flight) to Proof of Stake, Shapella was effectively the “dessert” that consummated the Merge upgrade.
Proof of Stake is arguably a more long-term sustainable model for a public blockchain, as it consumes fewer resources while allowing more access for the general population to act as validators to secure the chain. However, the Merge resulted in a one-way street.
Proof of Stake Ethereum could not reach its potential of critical mass if the ability to unstake was nonexistent, which was the case since the launch of Ethereum’s Beacon Chain in Dec 2020. Shapella finally enabled this withdrawal feature.
Although over 1 million ETH (7% of the total staked ETH) have entered the withdrawal exit queue, ETH price has been resilient (in USD and BTC terms) since Shapella. Perhaps withdrawals have actually de-risked ETH for institutional players, unlocking the potential for staking growth.
Purpose
This research is only for the clients of BitOoda. This research is not intended to constitute an offer, solicitation, or invitation for any securities and may not be distributed into jurisdictions where it is unlawful to do so. For additional disclosures and information, please contact a BitOoda representative at info@bitooda.io.
Analyst Certification
Vivek Raman, denoted by an “AC” on the cover of this report hereby certifies that all of the views expressed in this report accurately reflect his personal views, which have not been influenced by considerations of the firm’s business or client relationships.
Conflicts of Interest
This research contains the views, opinions, and recommendations of BitOoda. This report is intended for research and educational purposes only. We are not compensated in any way based upon any specific view or recommendation.
General Disclosures
Any information (“Information”) provided by BitOoda Holdings, Inc., BitOoda Digital, LLC, BitOoda Technologies, LLC or Ooda Commodities, LLC and its affiliated or related companies (collectively, “BitOoda”), either in this publication or document, in any other communication, or on or through http://www.bitooda.io/, including any information regarding proposed transactions or trading strategies, is for informational purposes only and is provided without charge. BitOoda is not and does not act as a fiduciary or adviser, or in any similar capacity, in providing the Information, and the Information may not be relied upon as investment, financial, legal, tax, regulatory, or any other type of advice. The Information is being distributed as part of BitOoda’s sales and marketing efforts as an introducing broker and is incidental to its business as such. BitOoda seeks to earn execution fees when its clients execute transactions using its brokerage services. BitOoda makes no representations or warranties (express or implied) regarding, nor shall it have any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, adequacy, timeliness or completeness of, the Information, and no representation is made or is to be implied that the Information will remain unchanged. BitOoda undertakes no duty to amend, correct, update, or otherwise supplement the Information.
The Information has not been prepared or tailored to address, and may not be suitable or appropriate for the particular financial needs, circumstances or requirements of any person, and it should not be the basis for making any investment or transaction decision. The Information is not a recommendation to engage in any transaction. The digital asset industry is subject to a range of inherent risks, including but not limited to: price volatility, limited liquidity, limited and incomplete information regarding certain instruments, products, or digital assets, and a still emerging and evolving regulatory environment. The past performance of any instruments, products or digital assets addressed in the Information is not a guide to future performance, nor is it a reliable indicator of future results or performance.
Ooda Commodities, LLC is a member of NFA and is subject to NFA’s regulatory oversight and examinations. However, you should be aware that NFA does not have regulatory oversight authority over underlying or spot virtual currency products or transactions or virtual currency exchanges, custodians or markets.
BitOoda Technologies, LLC is a member of FINRA.
“BitOoda”, “BitOoda Difficulty”, “BitOoda Hash”, “BitOoda Compute”, and the BitOoda logo are trademarks of BitOoda Holdings, Inc.
Copyright 2022 BitOoda Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reprinted, redistributed, or sold without prior written consent of BitOoda.
The Ethereum hard fork dubbed Shapella (originally Shanghai, then combined with its additional name Capella to form “Shapella”) was successfully completed one week ago on April 12. The fork executed almost perfectly after several testnet trials and shadow forks. While this engineering feat was not celebrated by the mainstream, it is still a marvel that Ethereum achieves its technological upgrades in a decentralized, automated manner with zero downtime and zero need for community intervention. Shapella was a roaring success.
Although the Merge was the “main course” that drastically altered Ethereum’s economic and environmental sustainability by switching the blockchain (in mid-flight) to Proof of Stake, Shapella was effectively the “dessert” that consummated the Merge upgrade.
Proof of Stake is arguably a more long-term sustainable model for a public blockchain, as it consumes fewer resources while allowing more access for the general population to act as validators to secure the chain. However, the Merge resulted in a one-way street.
Proof of Stake Ethereum could not reach its potential of critical mass if the ability to unstake was nonexistent, which was the case since the launch of Ethereum’s Beacon Chain in Dec 2020. Shapella finally enabled this withdrawal feature.
Although over 1 million ETH (7% of the total staked ETH) have entered the withdrawal exit queue, ETH price has been resilient (in USD and BTC terms) since Shapella. Perhaps withdrawals have actually de-risked ETH for institutional players, unlocking the potential for staking growth.
Purpose
This research is only for the clients of BitOoda. This research is not intended to constitute an offer, solicitation, or invitation for any securities and may not be distributed into jurisdictions where it is unlawful to do so. For additional disclosures and information, please contact a BitOoda representative at info@bitooda.io.
Analyst Certification
Vivek Raman, denoted by an “AC” on the cover of this report hereby certifies that all of the views expressed in this report accurately reflect his personal views, which have not been influenced by considerations of the firm’s business or client relationships.
Conflicts of Interest
This research contains the views, opinions, and recommendations of BitOoda. This report is intended for research and educational purposes only. We are not compensated in any way based upon any specific view or recommendation.
General Disclosures
Any information (“Information”) provided by BitOoda Holdings, Inc., BitOoda Digital, LLC, BitOoda Technologies, LLC or Ooda Commodities, LLC and its affiliated or related companies (collectively, “BitOoda”), either in this publication or document, in any other communication, or on or through http://www.bitooda.io/, including any information regarding proposed transactions or trading strategies, is for informational purposes only and is provided without charge. BitOoda is not and does not act as a fiduciary or adviser, or in any similar capacity, in providing the Information, and the Information may not be relied upon as investment, financial, legal, tax, regulatory, or any other type of advice. The Information is being distributed as part of BitOoda’s sales and marketing efforts as an introducing broker and is incidental to its business as such. BitOoda seeks to earn execution fees when its clients execute transactions using its brokerage services. BitOoda makes no representations or warranties (express or implied) regarding, nor shall it have any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, adequacy, timeliness or completeness of, the Information, and no representation is made or is to be implied that the Information will remain unchanged. BitOoda undertakes no duty to amend, correct, update, or otherwise supplement the Information.
The Information has not been prepared or tailored to address, and may not be suitable or appropriate for the particular financial needs, circumstances or requirements of any person, and it should not be the basis for making any investment or transaction decision. The Information is not a recommendation to engage in any transaction. The digital asset industry is subject to a range of inherent risks, including but not limited to: price volatility, limited liquidity, limited and incomplete information regarding certain instruments, products, or digital assets, and a still emerging and evolving regulatory environment. The past performance of any instruments, products or digital assets addressed in the Information is not a guide to future performance, nor is it a reliable indicator of future results or performance.
Ooda Commodities, LLC is a member of NFA and is subject to NFA’s regulatory oversight and examinations. However, you should be aware that NFA does not have regulatory oversight authority over underlying or spot virtual currency products or transactions or virtual currency exchanges, custodians or markets.
BitOoda Technologies, LLC is a member of FINRA.
“BitOoda”, “BitOoda Difficulty”, “BitOoda Hash”, “BitOoda Compute”, and the BitOoda logo are trademarks of BitOoda Holdings, Inc.
Copyright 2022 BitOoda Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reprinted, redistributed, or sold without prior written consent of BitOoda.
In this report, we offer a variety of institutional frameworks to analyze ETH, alongside BTC, as a part of a diversified crypto portfolio. Bitcoin has transcended into the mainstream, accelerated by the acceptance of spot BTC ETFs. ETH, while more complex, has unique use cases that could position it as a premier crypto asset alongside BTC.