In a pivotal move for its network capacity, Ethereum has raised its block gas limit from 45 million to 60 million, effective November 25. This adjustment, which marks a substantial increase in base-layer throughput, was automatically enacted after over half of the network”s validators signaled their approval, thus meeting the necessary consensus threshold.
According to GasLimit.pics and researcher Toni Wahrstätter from the Ethereum Foundation, this change caps a year-long community effort advocating for enhanced capacity. With the network now functioning under a 60 million block gas limit, it reflects an increasing confidence in Ethereum”s resilience and capability.
The elevated gas limit allows for more transactions per block and is widely viewed as a preparatory measure ahead of the upcoming Fusaka hard fork, scheduled for December 3. Developer coordination discussions have confirmed this timeline, aligning the technical upgrade with the recent expansion in throughput.
The Fusaka upgrade brings significant improvements, including the introduction of PeerDAS (Peer Data Availability Sampling), a revamped data layer designed to enhance rollup availability. This new architecture is anticipated to facilitate more efficient rollup operations, which rely on quick and scalable access to on-chain data. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has previously emphasized the critical role of PeerDAS in Ethereum”s scaling strategy, underlining its significance within the broader development roadmap.
Additionally, Fusaka encompasses routine yet vital adjustments, such as optimizations for clients, refinements in consensus rules, and bolstered security protocols. The upgrade has undergone testing across several networks and is currently part of an active audit contest with a $2 million reward pool, underscoring the focus on security.
As the capacity enhancement occurs, Ethereum”s scaling networks are witnessing unprecedented levels of throughput. Reports from GrowThePie indicate that scaling solutions achieved a remarkable 31,000 transactions per second within a 24-hour period, setting a new record for the ecosystem. Rollups like Lighter, a zero-knowledge rollup focused on perpetuals with approximately $1.2 billion in total value locked (TVL), led the activity with about 5,455 transactions per second. Other platforms, including Base and various Layer 2 networks, have also contributed to this surge, reflecting a strong demand for scalable transaction infrastructure as Fusaka”s deployment approaches.
Independent researcher Zhixiong Pan pointed out that the stable high capacity is attributed to multiple factors, including the implementation of EIP-7623, widespread improvements across Ethereum clients, and strong performance in testing environments. Analysts will closely monitor whether this elevated pace can be maintained once Fusaka is operational.
The increase in the gas limit aligns with a long-term strategy to boost Ethereum”s base-layer throughput while directing most activities to rollups. The current setup effectively elevates the main chain”s target capacity, even as developers focus on enhancing data availability and execution efficiency for Layer 2 solutions. Discussions within the community surrounding the current gas limit have balanced user demands for lower transaction fees against concerns regarding node performance and decentralization. However, the validator-driven approval mechanism suggests that network participants are currently comfortable with the new parameters.
As technical advancements unfold, market traders are also keenly observing price movements ahead of the Fusaka hard fork. Ethereum recently attempted to reclaim a significant resistance level but faced rejection after a brief recovery, indicating persistent uncertainty within the market structure. Analyst Ted Pillows cautioned that the asset remains vulnerable to setting a new low unless it can decisively surpass resistance levels with robust trading volume. He noted, however, that major network upgrades have historically acted as catalysts for price movements when underlying fundamentals and sentiment align.
Analysts recall that previous upgrades, including Pectra, coincided with post-upgrade rallies and sustained gains, although the direct causality of such events remains open to debate. Should Ethereum replicate this pattern in December, several analysts anticipate movement toward higher resistance levels, particularly if on-chain activity continues to rise.
Furthermore, market observers are monitoring Ethereum”s performance against Bitcoin. Trader Michaël van de Poppe has indicated that the ETH/BTC pair is nearing a potential breakout level, which could signal a shift in capital if confirmed. Analyst Merlijn The Trader has identified recurring wave structures in Ethereum”s price action that have historically preceded upward trends. Both analysts suggest that momentum could build leading into the Fusaka timeline, especially if the upgrade proceeds smoothly and the network”s enhanced throughput proves sustainable.
Overall, the increase in the gas limit to 60 million, coupled with the advancements brought by PeerDAS and the overall Fusaka package, positions Ethereum for a new phase of scaling experimentation. If validator support, rollup growth, and market sentiment align favorably through December 3 and beyond, the network could experience both technical and market-driven upside in the weeks ahead.
