Ethereum receives a major update today that should improve its ability to scale.
Similar upgrades have been followed by significant rallies.
Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) is up 3.4% in the last 24 hours as of 1:54 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The move comes as the S&P 500 rose 0.4% and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.2%.
Ethereum's Fusaka upgrade goes live today, the latest major update to the coin's network. In the past, similar overhauls have led to a rally.
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The Fusaka update introduces several key improvements, including an increased gas limit that will expand transaction capacity. Critically, the upgrade refines how Ethereum interacts with layer-2 networks -- blockchains that work on top of the mainnet. Layer-2 solutions greatly enhance Ethereum's ability to scale efficiently, but Fusaka is designed to make these interactions even more cost-effective. That's key for Ethereum's continued dominance as the smart-contract blockchain of choice.
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The last major update was followed closely by a 30% rally. It seems traders are anticipating a similar move when Fusaka goes live.
While past updates were significant catalysts, Fusaka arrives at a very different time in the market. I'm not convinced it will be enough to turn Ethereum's months-long slide around. That being said, in the long run, I do think Ethereum is a solid addition to a more risk-tolerant portfolio.
Johnny Rice has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Ethereum. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.