David Edwards
Over 50% of Ethereum validators have signaled their approval for increasing the network’s gas limit, marking the first such change under the proof-of-stake (PoS) model since Ethereum’s Merge upgrade in 2022. This shift allows for more transactions per block without requiring a hard fork, potentially enhancing network scalability.
Ethereum’s Gas Limit Surpasses 33 Million
According to Gaslimit.pics, a platform tracking validator support, 52% of validators have backed the proposal as of February 4. Meanwhile, Blockscout, a multichain block explorer, indicates that the gas limit is already climbing, with a transaction recorded around 3 AM UTC showing a gas limit exceeding 33 million.
The gas limit, which determines the maximum computational effort allowed per block, has remained at 30 million since August 2021, following an increase from 15 million. By adjusting their node configurations, validators can signal their preference for a higher limit, contributing to Ethereum’s scalability without the need for a hard fork.
Community Reactions and the Pectra Fork Proposal
Crypto analyst Evan Van Ness, a former Consensys executive, highlighted that Ethereum’s transition to PoS made coordination for this update more complex than under proof-of-work (PoW).
Following the validators’ vote, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has called for the Pectra fork, expected in March 2024, which will double the blob target from three to six. Buterin emphasized that stakers will determine the increase using a process similar to the gas limit mechanism, allowing for future scalability improvements without requiring hard forks.
Supporters vs. Critics of the Gas Limit Increase
Proponents of the increase argue that raising the limit to 36 million will boost Ethereum’s Layer 1 (L1) capacity, fostering greater innovation and transaction efficiency. Ethereum researcher Justin Drake expressed support for a 36 million gas limit in a December 2023 post, stating he had already configured his validator accordingly.
Meanwhile, Eric Connor and Mariano Conti, both Ethereum developers, launched the Pump The Gas campaign advocating for a 40 million gas limit to reduce transaction fees.
However, concerns remain over network stability. Ethereum Foundation researcher Toni Wahrstätter warned in a December 9 post that raising the gas limit too aggressively—such as to 60 million—could lead to propagation failures, missed validator slots, and potential network destabilization.
Even the Pump The Gas initiative acknowledged these risks, noting that increasing the limit too drastically could make Ethereum’s blockchain too large for solo node operators to process effectively. Instead, they suggest a gradual increase over time.
What’s Next for Ethereum?
With validator consensus surpassing the 50% threshold, Ethereum is poised for its first gas limit increase under PoS. As the network approaches the Pectra upgrade, the ongoing debate highlights the delicate balance between scalability and decentralization, a key challenge for Ethereum’s long-term evolution.
