In a significant development for the Ethereum (ETH) ecosystem, researchers propose redesigning the network’s consensus layer, aiming to enhance scalability, decentralization, and security. 

During a presentation at DevCon in Bangkok on Tuesday, Justin Drake, an Ethereum Foundation researcher, introduced the concept of “Beam Chain,” a new consensus layer intended to replace the existing Beacon Chain.

The Beam Chain Proposal

Drake explained that the Beacon Chain, which has been operational for five years, has become somewhat outdated. “In those five years, so much has happened,” he remarked, highlighting the rapid advancements in blockchain technology and research. 

The redesign will reportedly focus exclusively on the consensus layer, leaving the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and the binary large object (blob) data layer untouched. 

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In addition, the Beam Chain aims to revamp several critical aspects of Ethereum’s staking mechanism, block production system, and cryptographic architecture. One of the central proposals is to reduce the validator bond from 32 ETH to just 1 ETH, a move intended to foster greater decentralization within the network. 

Drake noted that the current issuance model for Proof of Stake (PoS) is perceived as flawed, presenting an opportunity for improvement that could benefit Ethereum’s long-term health.

To enhance censorship resistance, the proposal includes mechanisms for attestor-proposer separation, which would further secure the block production process. Additionally, the Beam Chain is designed to improve throughput by accelerating block time slots, ultimately leading to faster transaction confirmations.

Plans To Transform Ethereum Future

A hallmark of the Beam Chain initiative is its incorporation of zero-knowledge (ZK) consensus, which leverages Succinct Non-interactive Argument of Knowledge (SNARK) proofs. 

These cryptographic tools will serve dual purposes: enabling consensus clients to compile high-level languages into bytecode and creating a “hash-based post-quantum infinitely-aggregatable scheme” that can condense thousands of hashes into a single proof. 

Recent advancements suggest that users can prove over 2 million hashes per second, indicating that the “SNARKification” of the consensus layer is feasible even on consumer-grade hardware.

Drake outlined that if the community supports the proposal, the next steps would involve specification in 2025, development in 2026, and testing in 2027. 

The researcher described this strategy as “ossification accelerationism,” aiming to achieve stability and maturity for Ethereum sooner rather than later. “We want Ethereum to go into ‘maintenance mode’ as soon as possible,” he stated.

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The proposal has generated considerable interest within the Ethereum community, with Drake emphasizing the importance of community participation in shaping the future of the consensus layer. He referred to the Beam Chain as his “most ambitious initiative to date,” highlighting the need for collaboration to realize this vision.

In an exclusive interview with NewsBTC, Professor Christian Cachin from the University of Bern commended the Beam Chain proposal for its potential to solidify Ethereum’s consensus roadmap. 

Cachin noted that while the planned upgrades involve sophisticated and non-backwards-compatible technologies, they are crucial for advancing Ethereum’s scalability and overall capabilities: 

As far as I see so far, the proposal makes the existing Ethereum consensus roadmap concrete, it takes the next steps toward more powerful and more scalable consensus of Ethereum.

At the time of writing, ETH was trading at $3,227, up 22% for the week.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com

Ethereum has finally surged after breaking through a critical resistance level that had kept the price subdued since early August. This move has shifted market sentiment, as many investors and analysts previously doubted ETH’s potential in the current cycle, expecting it to lag behind. However, Ethereum’s recent strength is starting to reshape these perspectives.

Prominent analyst and investor Ali Martinez recently shared insights indicating that while Ethereum’s momentum is building, the much-anticipated “Altseason” hasn’t arrived just yet. 

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According to Martinez, this stage of the cycle typically sees Bitcoin outperforming Ethereum and other altcoins—a common pattern as BTC often leads market rallies. This dynamic could provide a strategic opportunity for investors looking to enter ETH and other altcoins before the broader market euphoria begins.

As Ethereum gains traction, market participants are keeping an eye on further confirmations of its breakout, with many speculating that once Bitcoin’s lead cools, capital may flow more aggressively into altcoins. 

Ethereum Waking Up

Ethereum is making a remarkable comeback, surging over 22% in just two days of strong upward momentum. While this performance is impressive, key data highlights that Bitcoin is still leading the market, slightly overshadowing Ethereum’s gains. For savvy investors, this could present a prime opportunity to start accumulating Ethereum and select altcoins before they potentially rally in the next phase of the cycle.

Ali Martinez, a prominent analyst, recently shared a Glassnode chart revealing insights on the “Bitcoin Altseason Indicator.” This tool compares net capital flows between Bitcoin and Ethereum, showing that while Ethereum is on the rise, Bitcoin’s net capital change is currently outpacing it. 

This trend confirms that Altseason—where altcoins outperform Bitcoin—hasn’t begun yet. Martinez points out that such dynamics are typical for this stage, with Bitcoin usually leading the initial rally and Ethereum following shortly after.

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Historically, Altseason often arrives once Bitcoin’s price momentum stabilizes, as capital flows from Bitcoin into high-potential altcoins. Many seasoned investors recognize this part of the cycle as an ideal time to accumulate ETH and strong altcoins at attractive prices before the broader market shifts its focus.

In the coming weeks, the relationship between BTC and ETH performance will be closely watched, potentially setting up a shift in market sentiment and capital distribution.

ETH Technical View

Ethereum recently surged past a critical resistance at $2,820, breaking above the 200-day exponential moving average (EMA) and touching the 200-day moving average (MA) at $2,955. This marks a significant bullish move, as ETH had been trading below these levels since early August, and reclaiming these indicators is seen as a positive signal for further gains.

For the bullish momentum to continue, ETH must break above and sustain itself above the daily MA at $2,955, solidifying this breakout as a foundation for the next phase of the uptrend. However, some analysts suggest that a period of consolidation just below the 200 MA could be beneficial, allowing ETH to gather strength for a more sustained rally. This pause could temper the rising euphoria and avoid overextension in the short term.

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As the market sentiment turns increasingly optimistic, many investors are eyeing this level closely. Holding above these critical indicators would give bulls more control, potentially setting Ethereum up for a more robust recovery as it targets new highs.

Featured image from Dall-E, chart from TradingView

The crypto witnessed an accelerated bullish momentum following Donald Trump’s victory in in the 2024 presidential election. Bitcoin, the pioneer digital asset reached a new all time high, fueling a recovery in the altcoin market. Despite aggressive whale selling, the Ethereum price maintained its upward trajectory and breached the key resistance of the 6-months correction trend.

By press time, ETH price had traded at $2,931, with an intraday gain of 1.28%. According to Coingecko, the asset market cap holds at $351.2 with a 24-hour trading volume of $35.17 

Ethereum Price Defies Whale Sell-off as ETH Breaks Out of 90-Day Correction

In the past five months, the Ethereum price prediction witnessed a steady correction from $3,975 to $2,150, accounting for a 46% loss. An analysis of daily chat shows this retracement resonated strictly within the two covering trendlines of a falling wedge pattern. 

Generally, this pattern reflects a temporary correction in an established uptrend which allows buyers to recuperate the exhausted bullish momentum. Amid the September U.S. Fed rate cut, the ETH price downtrend shifted to accumulation sideways trend above $2,200 level.

Donald trump’s Victory in 2024 presidential election gave the necessary push to the renew crypto market recovery. Thus, the Ethereum price rallied from the $2,400 to $2,914— a 21.7% surge— in the last four days.

This recovery gave a decesve breakout from the resistance trendline of falling wedge pattern. If the breakout sustains, the buyers could drive a 40% surge to hit $4,000.

ETH Holds Firm Amid Whale Profit-Taking

Along with key breakout, the ETH price recovery showcased higher strength as it defied the active selling pressure from whale. According to Lookonchain, a major crypto whale, holding 398,891 ETH valued at $1.14 billion, sold 29,897 ETH for $84.87 million USDC after recently rally.

The whale had initially acquired the ETH at an average cost of $3.50 per coin, turning the sale into a staggering 810x profit, equating to $84.7 million in realized gains. While large holders selling typically trigger market volatility and bolster a fresh correction trend, this whale still hold 368,992 $ETH ( worth approximately $1.07B).

His substantial holding indicate the whale still believe in ETH’s future growth.

The whale with 398,891 $ETH($1.14B) has sold 29,897 $ETH for 84.87M $USDC at $2,839 after the $ETH price rose!

The buying cost was only ~$3.5, and has realized a profit of $84.7M, an 810x return!

The whale still holds 368,992 $ETH($1.07B).https://t.co/RioFfsKgXZ pic.twitter.com/xvNzIwHHNF

— Lookonchain (@lookonchain) November 8, 2024

On the contary note, the Ethereu, price could wintess a short pullback to retest the breached trendline. A breakdown below this flipped could prolong market correction.

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Sahil Mahadik

Sahil is a dedicated full-time trader with over three years of experience in the financial markets. Armed with a strong grasp of technical analysis, he keeps a vigilant eye on the daily price movements of top assets and indices. Drawn by his fascination with financial instruments, Sahil enthusiastically embraced the emerging realm of cryptocurrency, where he continues to explore opportunities driven by his passion for trading

Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.