The post The future of Ethereum scaling lies in hardware, not software appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.

Opinion by: Leo Fan, co-founder of Cysic Running Ethereum today is like trying to play a modern game on a 1980s laptop — the outdated hardware would struggle to load, lag endlessly, and likely crash under the weight of new demands. Designed for a simpler blockchain era, Ethereum’s infrastructure can no longer keep up, processing just 10 to 62 transactions per second, far below the thousands needed for mainstream adoption.  Meanwhile, with sub-second block times and near-zero fees, Solana enjoys growing mainstream popularity, which is evident in surging wallet downloads amid the TRUMP launch. Ethereum remains hindered by high gas fees and congestion, pushing users and developers to faster alternatives.  Without addressing its scaling bottlenecks, Ethereum risks falling behind. While Ethereum’s layer-2 (L2) rollups have alleviated network congestion, they ultimately serve as stopgap measures that provide temporary relief. Software-first approaches are experiencing teething issues in interoperability and scalability, raising questions about Ethereum’s long-term sustainability and relevance.  Many L2s are designed to fit the native network and cannot support real-time applications such as decentralized gaming or cross-border payments. Ethereum needs a fundamental shift if it wants to maintain its leadership in the blockchain space. The solution lies not in incremental software updates but in hardware acceleration.  Aligning Ethereum’s vision with hardware Vitalik Buterin’s Verge milestone envisions Ethereum achieving complete node verification on consumer-grade devices, a critical step toward the blockchain’s broader goals of accessibility and decentralization. Buterin has emphasized shifting from patchwork solutions to building a well-rounded computational infrastructure to realize this vision. Purpose-built hardware, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), is key: It enhances transaction processing speeds, reduces latency, and optimizes energy use. It lays the groundwork for sustainable Ethereum scaling, ensuring the network grows without compromising its core principles. Recent: Is Ethereum bottoming out at last? Analysts weigh in…

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Filed under: News - @ March 9, 2025 3:23 am