Ethereum (ETH) successfully initiates the first phase of the merge

The Ethereum Merge is a two-step process that takes place on both the old Ethereum Proof of Work (PoW) blockchain and the new Ethereum Proof of Stake (PoS) blockchain.

The first phase of this process has just been successfully initiated on the ETH PoS blockchain with the Bellatrix upgrade. Bellatrix connects the existing PoW blockchain with the new PoS blockchain. It ensures that the majority of Ethereum node operators are persuaded to upgrade their consensus client from PoW to PoS.

Namely, the Ethereum nodes are responsible for validating blocks within the Ether network and must therefore be switched to the PoW consensus mechanism before the merge in order to be able to confirm transactions in the Ethereum PoS network after the merge.

What does Bellatrix mean for the Ethereum merge?

Bellatrix ensures that sufficient Ethereum node operators can immediately start validating transactions on the ETH PoS blockchain after the merge.

It thus paves the way for the second phase of the merge: the Paris Upgrade. This upgrade ensures that mining on the old Ethereum blockchain is stopped. It also marks the final point in time when the Ethereum consensus mechanism will switch to PoS.

According to a Tiwtter post by ETH mastermind Vitalik Buterin, the Paris Upgrade is expected to wrap up the merge between September 13-15.

However, the exact time of the merge depends on the current hash rate of Ethereum and is therefore subject to fluctuations. The date for the final merge can therefore only be estimated.

If you want to follow live forecasts for the merge countdown, you can do so on wenmerge.com or ethernodes.org/merge, for example. Based on the current circumstances, the two sides calculate the exact time of the merger.

At the time of going to press, the calculations forecast the merge for Tuesday, September 13 at 9:29 p.m. German time.