As the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, Ethereum has garnered a lot of attention from investors and crypto enthusiasts alike. One of the key features that sets Ethereum apart from Bitcoin is its use of smart contracts, which allow for the creation of decentralized applications (dapps) and other blockchain-based protocols.
However, Ethereum is also unique in another way: it is currently the only major cryptocurrency that can be mined.
This is because Ethereum uses a proof-of-work (PoW) consensus algorithm, which means that miners are responsible for verifying transactions and ensuring the security of the network. In return for their efforts, miners are rewarded with ETH tokens.
However, this process is set to change in the near future with the planned launch of Ethereum 2.0.
Under the new Ethereum 2.0 protocol, mining will be replaced by staking.
This means that instead of using their computing power to verify transactions, users will instead be required to lock up their ETH tokens as collateral. In return for staking their ETH, users will earn interest on their investment and help to secure the network.
The switch to staking is intended to make Ethereum more energy-efficient as well as improve its scalability. However, it also means that those who want to mine ETH will need to do so before the launch of Ethereum 2.
0. Once staking goes live, mining will no longer be possible and existing miners will need to either stake their ETH or sell it off.
So, can Ethereum be mined after EIP 1559? The answer is yes – but only for a limited time. Once Ethereum 2.
0 launches, mining will no longer be possible and existing miners will need to either stake their ETH or sell it off.