The Merge was the joining of the initial execution layer of Ethereum (the Mainnet that has existed since genesis) with its new proof-of-stake accord layer, the Beacon Chain. It eliminated the necessity for energy-intensive mining and instead enabled the the network to be secured using staked ETH. it was a very exciting step in realizing the Ethereum vision—more scalability, security, and sustainability.
Imagine Ethereum could be a spaceship that launched before it was quite prepared for associate interstellar voyage. With the Beacon Chain, the community built a replacement engine and a hardened hull. once vital testing, it became time to hot-swap the new engine for the recent one mid-flight. This incorporate the new, additional economical engine into the prevailing ship enabling it to place in some serious lightyears and take on the universe.
Merging With Mainnet
Proof-of-work secured Ethereum Mainnet from genesis till The Merge. This allowed the Ethereum blockchain we're all accustomed to come back into existence in July 2015 with all its familiar features—transactions, smart contracts, accounts, etc.
Throughout Ethereum's history, developers ready for an eventual transition away from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake. On December one, 2020, the Beacon Chain was created as a separate blockchain to Mainnet, running in parallel.
The Beacon Chain wasn't originally process Mainnet transactions. Instead, it was reaching accord on its own state by agreeing on active validators and their account balances. once in depth testing, it became time for the Beacon Chain to reach accord on globe knowledge. once
The Merge, the Beacon Chain became the accord engine for all network knowledge, as well as execution layer transactions and account balances. The Merge delineate the official switch to exploitation the Beacon Chain because the engine of block production. Mining isn't any longer the suggests that of manufacturing valid blocks. Instead, the proof-of-stake validators have adopted this role and area unit currently accountable for process the validity of all transactions and proposing blocks.
No history was lost within the Merge. As Mainnet united with the Beacon Chain, it conjointly united the whole transactional history of Ethereum.
The Merge
Ethereum Mainnet uses proof-of-stake, but this wasn't continuously the case.
The upgrade from the initial proof-of-work mechanism to proof-of-stake was known as The Merge.
The Merge refers to the initial Ethereum Mainnet merging with a separate proof-of-stake blockchain known as the Beacon Chain, currently existing collectively chain.
The Merge reduced Ethereum's energy consumption by ~99.95%.
( ethereum.org, 2022)