Fusaka: Ethereum’s Plan to Quadruple Its Capacity

What is the gas limit on Ethereum and why is it relevant?

The gas limit on Ethereum represents a critical network parameter, defining the maximum computational capacity that a block can consume when processing transactions and executing smart contracts. Expressed in units of gas, this limit imposes a deliberate constraint on the cumulative complexity of the operations included in each block. As CoinDesk points out, gas functions as a unit of measure for the computational effort required for each operation, ensuring that users pay a fee proportional to the network resources their actions demand.

Historically, the gas limit has been subject to adjustments to optimize network performance. The latest significant increase, reported by CoinDesk in early February 2025, raised this threshold slightly above 30 million units of gas per block. This management of the limit is fundamental to network stability, as Cointelegraph indicates, by preventing excessive resource consumption by inefficient or even malicious transactions, thereby mitigating risks of congestion and denial of service. Additionally, the gas limit provides users with predictability regarding the costs associated with their interactions on the blockchain. An increase in this limit, as CoinDesk also notes, could inherently translate into greater transactional capacity for the network.

Proposal to increase the gas limit to 150 million

In a bold move to redefine the base layer scalability of Ethereum, Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) 9678 has been presented, led by Sophia Gold of the Ethereum Foundation. This proposal, under consideration for inclusion in the upcoming hard fork named Fusaka, suggests a substantial increase in the gas limit to 150 million units. This increase of approximately four times the current limit, according to Cointelegraph estimates, could potentially allow for the inclusion of around 6,000 transactions per block. Officials from the Ethereum Foundation, including co-executive director Tomasz Kajetan Stańczak, have indicated that the activation of the Fusaka hard fork is projected for the third or fourth quarter of 2025.

Context and motivations behind the proposal

The motivation behind EIP 9678 lies in the need to explore the current operational limits of the Ethereum network. By significantly increasing the volume of transactions processed per block, the aim is to identify potential bottlenecks, errors, and strategies to proactively address them. As Cointelegraph points out, this initiative represents a renewed focus on layer 1 scalability, complementing the efforts made in layer 2 solutions in recent years. This increase in the gas limit is considered a crucial preparatory step for future optimizations and long-term capacity increases in the network infrastructure.

Technical implications and expected challenges

Nevertheless, the Hard Fusaka hard fork proposal carries significant technical implications and challenges. A quadrupled increase in the gas limit implies a significant growth in the size of the Ethereum blockchain. As Observatorio Blockchain warns, larger blocks will demand proportionally greater computational resources and infrastructure, which could create challenges in node synchronization if the network infrastructure fails to keep pace with the increase in data volume.

One of the main challenges identified is the need for comprehensive coordination and the execution of rigorous tests to validate the sustainability of this change. Furthermore, a substantially higher gas limit could potentially exacerbate the risk of Denial of Service (DoS) attacks against the blockchain. CoinMarketCap also notes that, while a gas limit of 150 million could facilitate more complex transactions, it could also increase transaction costs in scenarios of high gas demand.

Update schedule: from Pectra to Fusaka

Ethereum’s update schedule includes the activation of Pectra, a fusion of the Prague (execution layer) and Electra (consensus layer) upgrades, estimated for May 7, 2025, according to Criptonoticias. Fusaka is positioned as the next hard fork on the roadmap, with its activation planned for the third or fourth quarter of 2025.

Community reactions and next steps

The Ethereum community presents a divided view regarding the adoption of Execution Objects (EOF) and the Fusaka hard fork, as Observatorio Blockchain indicates. While many developers and enthusiasts anticipate that EOF will strengthen the security, performance, and capacity of Ethereum to support complex applications and AppChains, improving its competitive position, there are concerns about the breaking of backward compatibility and the effort required for migration. Some fear that this transition could temporarily slow down innovation, increase costs, and potentially fragment the ecosystem if certain projects fail to adapt.

The crucial next steps for the implementation of Hard Fusaka include the development of comprehensive tests for Peer Data Availability Sampling (PeerDAS) to improve scalability. Additionally, a thorough discussion on the improvements and security of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) is required. Finalizing the detailed schedule for Fusaka is essential to ensure its activation within the planned timeframe for 2025. Cointelegraph also highlights the importance of developing a clear roadmap for post-Fusaka upgrades, ensuring a long-term vision for the evolution of the Ethereum network.