Ethereum Ropsten Testnet Successfully Merged to Proof-of-stake

Ethereum’s oldest testnet, Ropsten, was merged today, with minor software releases to be expected over the next few days

article-image

blockworks exclusive art by axel rangel

share
  • Two more public testnet merges will be executed before the mainnet
  • Mainnet is expected to be live later this year

Ethereum has largely passed its next significant step in migrating the blockchain from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake — minus a couple of hiccups. 

The Ropsten Merge, the latest in a series of test runs before the protocol’s mainet undergoes the transition later this year, missed a couple of validating block proposals along the way. Ropsten, Ethereum’s first test network, has been live since November 2016. Over the next few days, minor software releases addressing kinks are expected. 

Loading Tweet..

Two more public testnet merges on the Ethereum Goelri and Sepolia networks are scheduled to be executed before the mainnet merge. 

Simon Furlong, chief operating officer at Geode Finance, told Blockworks the latest test brings Ethereum “one step closer” to a successful merge. 

“The successful merge is a big confidence boost for the wider Ethereum community and shows that the ETH core devs are on track to successfully transition later this year,” Furlong said. 

The network is notorious for a high volume of transactions that snarls block execution traffic, resulting in pricey gas fees (payments that power trading activity). 

The Ethereum blockchain can now only process just three to 15 transactions per second. Competitor Solana can process 65,000 transactions per second, with almost zero fees — though it has faced its share of criticism in recent months for repeated network outages

By moving from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake, Ethereum’s energy consumption is estimated to be reduced by 99.95%.

In a livestream hosted by EthStaker, Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin reminded users that, even if the testnet were to run successfully for a few hours, the network would not be in the clear because of the risks that remain — including issues such as “MEV, staking, centralization and protection against DoS attacks that could bite us three weeks after the merge.”

It’s also important to note that the Ropsten Merge is part of the consensus layer (previously Eth2) change which handles proof-of-stake consensus, not to be confused with the execution layer (previously Eth1), which includes transactions and executions, meaning transaction time and gas fees will remain the same.

Ether has traded lower after the test merge, “showing the lack of awareness of the implications a successful merge will have for Ethereum as an asset,” Furlong said.


Get the news in your inbox. Explore Blockworks newsletters:

Tags

Decoding crypto and the markets. Daily, with Byron Gilliam.

Upcoming Events

Javits Center North | 445 11th Ave

Tues - Thurs, March 24 - 26, 2026

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

Old Billingsgate

Mon - Wed, October 13 - 15, 2025

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

recent research

Unlocked by Template (1).jpg

Research

As AI supercharges surveillance, privacy becomes a prerequisite and the winning stack will combine confidentiality with selective disclosure. Zcash’s Tachyon, composable standards on Ethereum/Solana, and compliance-aware pools aim to make private rails the new norm.

article-image

The derivatives giant will extend futures and options access to round-the-clock trading in early 2026

by Blockworks /
article-image

Global fiber network goes live as SEC clears 2Z token for utility use

by Blockworks /
article-image

The SPAC transaction positions Avalanche Treasury Co. as a Nasdaq-listed vehicle for institutional AVAX exposure by 2026

by Blockworks /
article-image

The collaboration brings regulated money market fund exposure to Polygon, with custody provided by Standard Chartered

by Blockworks /
article-image

FG Nexus teams with Securitize to bring its Nasdaq-listed equity onchain, offering tokenized stock trading through Ethereum

by Blockworks /
article-image

Sponsored

Taiko launches binding onchain governance and appoints three directors with expertise in global regulation, business strategy and blockchain tech

by Sponsored /