Ethereum Research

Definition ∞ Ethereum Research encompasses the ongoing investigation and development of new technologies and improvements for the Ethereum blockchain. This includes advancements in consensus mechanisms, scalability solutions, and smart contract capabilities. It is a continuous process aimed at enhancing the network’s performance, security, and utility.
Context ∞ Ethereum Research is currently focused on the post-Merge era, with significant efforts directed towards improving scalability through sharding and layer-2 rollups. Debates frequently arise concerning the optimal path for network upgrades and the potential implications of proposer-builder separation. Future research directions are expected to address further optimizations for transaction throughput and enhanced privacy features.