The Ethereum network just crossed its most significant technical milestone since the Merge. On December 3, 2025, developers successfully activated the Fusaka upgrade, delivering a massive Ethereum Scalability Boost that moves the protocol into the “Surge” era. While previous updates refined the user experience, Fusaka tackles the backend infrastructure, finally realizing the decade-long vision of sharding. By implementing Peer Data Availability Sampling (PeerDAS), Ethereum now supports an unprecedented volume of data, allowing Layer 2 rollups to scale toward 100,000 transactions per second (TPS). You now witness the transformation of Ethereum into a global settlement layer capable of competing with Visa.
The Heart of the Upgrade: Introducing PeerDAS
The centerpiece of this Ethereum Scalability Boost is PeerDAS (Peer Data Availability Sampling). Before this upgrade, every node on the network had to download and store every single piece of data (blobs) posted by Layer 2 networks like Arbitrum and Optimism. This requirement created a massive bandwidth bottleneck. PeerDAS changes the rules of the game entirely. Now, nodes only sample small, random portions of the data to verify its existence. Through advanced erasure coding, the network ensures that as long as enough nodes hold these small samples, the full data remains available. This innovation effectively solves the historic blockchain trilemma.
Slashing Layer 2 Transaction Costs
For the average user, the most visible impact of the Ethereum Scalability Boost is the dramatic reduction in transaction fees. Layer 2 rollups rely on Ethereum to store their transaction data. By increasing the “blob” capacity from 6 to 14 per block—with plans to hit 42 by mid-2026—Fusaka provides more space for this data. Analysts project that L2 fees will drop by 40% to 60% as the supply of data space finally meets the explosive demand from retail traders and DeFi protocols. You benefit from nearly instant transactions that cost fractions of a cent, encouraging mass adoption.
The 60 Million Gas Limit Expansion
Beyond Layer 2 scaling, the Ethereum Scalability Boost also improves the main execution layer (L1). Developers increased the default block gas limit from 30 million to 60 million units. This change effectively doubles the computational capacity of every Ethereum block. While a higher gas limit requires more powerful hardware for validators, the introduction of PeerDAS offsets this by reducing the data-downloading burden significantly. You now see a more efficient Layer 1 that can process complex smart contracts faster and more reliably. This expansion allows Ethereum to maintain its lead as the primary ecosystem for institutional decentralized finance and asset tokenization.
Establishing the Blob Parameter Only (BPO) Mechanism
Ethereum traditionally requires massive hard forks to change network parameters. Fusaka introduces the Blob Parameter Only (BPO) mechanism, a revolutionary way to adjust network capacity. This feature allows developers to increase blob limits through simple configuration tweaks rather than full protocol upgrades. The first scheduled BPO increases are already set for late December 2025 and January 2026. This flexibility ensures that Ethereum scales in real-time based on actual usage, preventing the network from becoming congested during sudden market rallies. You possess a network that adapts dynamically to demand, maintaining low costs even during periods of extreme high-volume network activity.
Securing the Network with Per-Transaction Gas Caps
As the network expands its capacity, security becomes even more critical. The Ethereum Scalability Boost includes EIP-7825, which places a strict cap on the amount of gas a single transaction can consume. This safeguard prevents malicious actors from creating “mega-transactions” that could clog the entire block and trigger a denial-of-service (DoS) attack. By limiting individual transaction sizes, the network ensures that block space remains fair and accessible for all participants, even as the total throughput increases. You enjoy a safer ecosystem where the increased capacity does not come at the cost of network stability or vulnerability to sophisticated attacks.
Preparing for the 2026 Glamsterdam Upgrade
Fusaka serves as the foundational layer for the next major milestone: Glamsterdam. While Fusaka scales data availability, Glamsterdam will introduce parallel transaction execution and shorter, 6-second block times. The current scalability boost makes these future gains possible by stabilizing the block-building process and ensuring that validators can handle the increased workload. You are witnessing the step-by-step transformation of Ethereum into a high-performance machine. This strategic roadmap proves that Ethereum can evolve without compromising decentralization. By the end of 2026, the network will likely handle the majority of global financial transactions on its highly secure Layer 2 infrastructure.
Native Passkey and Biometric Support
User security also receives a major upgrade through EIP-7951. This proposal introduces native support for the secp256r1 cryptographic curve. For you, the user, this means that future Ethereum wallets can use the same security standards found in Apple FaceID and Android Passkeys. This integration removes the need for complex seed phrases, allowing you to sign transactions with biometrics. This feature bridges the gap between the high security of the blockchain and the ease of use found in modern digital banking apps. You now have a simpler way to interact with decentralized applications without fearing the loss of physical keys.
Overcoming the Prysm Client Bug
The road to this Ethereum Scalability Boost was not without challenges. Hours after the Fusaka launch, a critical bug in the Prysm client caused a brief period of instability for some validators. However, Ethereum’s “client diversity”—the fact that the network runs on several different software types—saved the day. While Prysm nodes struggled, validators using Lighthouse, Teku, and Nimbus kept the network finalizing transactions. This event reinforces the importance of decentralization; the network survived a major technical flaw without a single second of downtime. You see the resilience of a truly distributed system that protects your assets against software failure.
Conclusion
You now see the results of years of research and development. The Ethereum Scalability Boost delivered by the Fusaka upgrade transforms the network from a congested, expensive platform into a high-speed, data-rich infrastructure. By mastering PeerDAS and expanding block limits, Ethereum has successfully answered the challenge posed by faster competitors like Solana. As Layer 2 fees continue to plummet and throughput climbs toward 100,000 TPS, you should position your portfolio to benefit from the massive growth of the on-chain economy. The “Surge” has officially begun, and the decentralized future looks more accessible, affordable, and secure for every global user.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
How does the Ethereum Scalability Boost reduce transaction fees?
It increases the network’s “blob” capacity from 6 to 14 and implements PeerDAS. This makes data storage significantly cheaper for Layer 2 networks like Arbitrum, which then passes those savings to you
Does the Fusaka upgrade make Ethereum faster?
Yes. It doubles the Layer 1 gas limit to 60 million and provides the infrastructure for Layer 2 rollups to process up to 100,000 transactions per second without congesting the main Ethereum blockchain.
Will I need a new wallet to use the passkey features?
You will likely need to update your existing wallet or switch to a new provider that supports the EIP-7951 standard. This will eventually allow you to use biometrics like FaceID instead of seed phrases.
Is Ethereum now more decentralized after the Fusaka upgrade?
Yes. PeerDAS reduces the amount of data a single no