The Ethereum network has taken an important technological step ahead of the upcoming Fusaka upgrade, increasing the amount of data that can be processed per block.
In an update implemented on Tuesday, Ethereum increased the target capacity of data packets called “blobs” from 10 to 14 and the maximum blob limit from 15 to 21. Although this change may seem small, it is considered an important development for Ethereum’s rollup-focused scaling strategy.
BLOBs stand out as data packets that allow rollup solutions to perform transactions off-chain at low cost while relying on the Ethereum mainnet for security and finality.
For layer 2 networks such as Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, and Mantle, and zero-knowledge (ZK) rollups such as zkSync Era, StarkNet, and Scroll, blob size is an important factor that directly affects transaction costs.
Rollup charges can increase rapidly during periods when blob capacity is limited. Conversely, expanding capacity increases the flexibility of the Layer 2 network and makes transaction fees more stable for users.
On-chain data shows that blob usage is currently well below capacity and there is no congestion in the system. This shows that Ethereum is proactively scaling before congestion occurs.
This update also reflects a broader approach in Ethereum’s roadmap. Today, networks aim to achieve scalability by incrementally adjusting parameters such as data availability and transaction throughput, rather than through large, infrequent hard forks. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently stated that the network has entered a new era where it can achieve higher bandwidth while remaining decentralized.
*This is not investment advice.
