Verdict: The Fusaka upgrade transforms Ethereum from a general-purpose blockchain into a specialized, high-capacity settlement layer. By activating Verkle Trees and PeerDAS, the network secures a path toward 100,000+ TPS and sub-cent Layer 2 fees by late 2026, while finally bringing biometric security (Face ID) to on-chain transactions.
Who This Is For
- Active L2 Users: Those seeking lower gas costs on networks like Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base.
- Home Stakers: Individual validators who need to reduce hardware and bandwidth overhead.
- Security-Conscious Investors: Users looking to replace vulnerable seed phrases with hardware-backed biometrics.
- Institutional Developers: Teams building high-frequency applications that require predictable data costs.
Eliminating the Data Bottleneck
Ethereum hit a scaling wall in early 2025. As activity migrated to Layer 2 (L2) networks, demand for "blobs"—specialized storage for L2 data—surpassed supply, driving costs up 30x during peak usage. Fusaka solves this through EIP-7918.
This protocol establishes a blob base fee floor, creating a reserve system that stabilizes costs for developers. By regulating the block space market, Ethereum transitions into a high-security settlement layer where L2 data remains affordable regardless of network congestion.
Verkle Trees: The Path to Statelessness
Fusaka replaces the aging Merkle Patricia Tries with Verkle Trees. While the previous architecture required a 1 KB "witness" to prove data validity, Verkle Trees use vector commitments (specifically KZG polynomial commitments) to shrink proof sizes to under 150 bytes.
This 85% reduction in data size enables statelessness. Nodes can now verify blocks without storing the blockchain’s entire multi-terabyte history. This move lowers the barrier for decentralization, allowing home stakers to operate full validators on standard 500GB SSDs.
"Statelessness is the technical requirement for a truly decentralized network. It ensures that hardware requirements don't outpace the average user's ability to participate."
PeerDAS and the 100,000 TPS Goal
Ethereum achieves 100,000 TPS by solving the Data Availability problem. Fusaka introduces PeerDAS (Peer Data Availability Sampling) via EIP-7594. Rather than downloading every blob, nodes sample small, random fragments to verify that data is available across the network.
This sampling technique cuts validator bandwidth requirements by 85%. This efficiency allows for a phased expansion of blob capacity throughout 2026:
- Blob Capacity: Increasing from 6 to 14 blobs per block via "BPO" forks.
- Gas Limit: Rising from 45M to 60M, with a long-term target of 150M.
Native Biometric Security
EIP-7951 upgrades Ethereum’s security for the mobile-first era. By supporting the secp256r1 curve, the network now interfaces directly with the Apple Secure Enclave and Android Keystore. Users can sign transactions using Face ID or fingerprints, removing the need for 24-word seed phrases.
Projected L2 Fee Reductions (2026)
| Network | Pre-Fusaka Fee | Post-Fusaka Fee (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Arbitrum One | $0.04 | $0.015 |
| Optimism (OP Mainnet) | $0.05 | $0.020 |
| Base | $0.03 | $0.010 |
These efficiencies bring Ethereum L2 fees into direct competition with high-speed alternatives like Solana, while maintaining Ethereum's superior security guarantees.
Our Verdict
Fusaka is a mandatory evolution for Ethereum. It successfully balances institutional-grade throughput with consumer-grade accessibility. By reducing validator overhead and enabling biometric security, the upgrade prepares Ethereum to serve as the invisible backbone of the global digital economy. The transition from complex blockchain mechanics to a seamless user experience is now well underway.
