Proof of Stake
Shanghai Scenarios
BitOoda Proof of Stake Research, 4/12/23
Vivek Raman
In December of 2020, the Ethereum Beacon Chain launched, which was a proof of stake-enabled chain running Ethereum’s consensus engine. The Beacon Chain allowed ETH to be staked (more staked ETH => more security), and it ran in parallel with Ethereum’s proof of work-enabled chain where users and apps lived. The Beacon Chain launch was the prelude to the long-awaited Merge.
Nearly 2 years later, on September 15, 2022, the Beacon Chain and the execution chain combined under one PoS engine, culminating in the Merge.
The Merge was one of the most notable accomplishments in blockchain history – the world’s second largest blockchain, with $100bn+ in economic value settled on top of it, seamlessly switched from proof of work to proof of stake with zero downtime and zero errors. The Merge resulted in a more economically and environmentally sustainable blockchain to facilitate the ongoing growth of the digital economy.
However, due to the complexity of the Merge, one feature was not included: the ability to unstake ETH.
As a result, the ETH that had been staked since December 2020 has been locked and unable to exit. Since December 2020, crypto has seen a euphoric bull market as well as the ensuing unraveling of much of the ecosystem. It is possible that ETH staking withdrawals – going live today – could cause a reshuffling of the staked ETH composition.
Ultimately, over the long run, the Shanghai upgrade enabling withdrawals could de-risk ETH and widen the pool of potential investors, facilitating the next wave of institutional adoption.
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In December of 2020, the Ethereum Beacon Chain launched, which was a proof of stake-enabled chain running Ethereum’s consensus engine. The Beacon Chain allowed ETH to be staked (more staked ETH => more security), and it ran in parallel with Ethereum’s proof of work-enabled chain where users and apps lived. The Beacon Chain launch was the prelude to the long-awaited Merge.
Nearly 2 years later, on September 15, 2022, the Beacon Chain and the execution chain combined under one PoS engine, culminating in the Merge.
The Merge was one of the most notable accomplishments in blockchain history – the world’s second largest blockchain, with $100bn+ in economic value settled on top of it, seamlessly switched from proof of work to proof of stake with zero downtime and zero errors. The Merge resulted in a more economically and environmentally sustainable blockchain to facilitate the ongoing growth of the digital economy.
However, due to the complexity of the Merge, one feature was not included: the ability to unstake ETH.
As a result, the ETH that had been staked since December 2020 has been locked and unable to exit. Since December 2020, crypto has seen a euphoric bull market as well as the ensuing unraveling of much of the ecosystem. It is possible that ETH staking withdrawals – going live today – could cause a reshuffling of the staked ETH composition.
Ultimately, over the long run, the Shanghai upgrade enabling withdrawals could de-risk ETH and widen the pool of potential investors, facilitating the next wave of institutional adoption.
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 December of 2020, the Ethereum Beacon Chain launched, which was a proof of stake-enabled chain running Ethereum’s consensus engine. The Beacon Chain allowed ETH to be staked (more staked ETH => more security), and it ran in parallel with Ethereum’s proof of work-enabled chain where users and apps lived. The Beacon Chain launch was the prelude to the long-awaited Merge.
Nearly 2 years later, on September 15, 2022, the Beacon Chain and the execution chain combined under one PoS engine, culminating in the Merge.
The Merge was one of the most notable accomplishments in blockchain history – the world’s second largest blockchain, with $100bn+ in economic value settled on top of it, seamlessly switched from proof of work to proof of stake with zero downtime and zero errors. The Merge resulted in a more economically and environmentally sustainable blockchain to facilitate the ongoing growth of the digital economy.
However, due to the complexity of the Merge, one feature was not included: the ability to unstake ETH.
As a result, the ETH that had been staked since December 2020 has been locked and unable to exit. Since December 2020, crypto has seen a euphoric bull market as well as the ensuing unraveling of much of the ecosystem. It is possible that ETH staking withdrawals – going live today – could cause a reshuffling of the staked ETH composition.
Ultimately, over the long run, the Shanghai upgrade enabling withdrawals could de-risk ETH and widen the pool of potential investors, facilitating the next wave of institutional adoption.
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.