, The Merge, and sharding.
The context of The Merge is quite important. This is the second in a three-step plan to create a better version of Ethereum. The first step was the release of the Beacon Chain in December 2020. The Beacon Chain is currently running alongside Ethereum and is being used to test the new consensus method (Proof of Stake or PoS).
Fusion is exactly what it sounds like. On merge day, the Execution Layer (the current mainnet) and the Beacon Chain will merge.
The final upgrade – called sharding – is expected to be released in 2023. This upgrade will disperse data storage across the network, allowing for more efficient data storage. It can also reduce transaction costs and increase speeds.
How will the merger affect Ethereum?
The immediate impact of The Merge will above all be that of consensus. Currently, Ethereum uses a Proof of Work (PoW) consensus model. This method involves validators using powerful computers to solve mathematical problems and earn the right to validate transactions. The main issues with PoW are the lack of validators due to high entry costs and power consumption. Currently, the Ethereum network requires an amount of energy comparable to the whole country of the Netherlands.
Replacing PoW with PoS has another great benefit other than reduced power consumption. Validation on a PoS network is much less capital intensive than on a PoW chain due to hardware and electricity costs. After the merger, Ethereum issuance will be reduced by around 90%, which should make it almost permanently (or almost) deflationary with the help of the previous EIP-1559 update. This may be the most important factor in deciding whether to buy Ethereum before the merger, as it is likely to have a significant impact on the price of ETH in the long run.
Merging with the Beacon Chain will allow Ethereum to validate using PoS. This method involves validators staking their tokens on the chain in exchange for the ability to validate. By staking, validators are incentivized to validate correctly as the chain can confiscate their holdings for errors and give rewards for accuracy. This method is estimated to use 99.95% less energy than the current system, according to the Ethereum organization.
While anything is possible, fundamental analysis of major events like The Merge can provide useful insights. By looking at the possible outcomes of The Merge, it is possible to predict how the price of ETH might change.
If The Merge is successful and provides benefits to Ethereum users, the price is likely to rise. The added benefit could cause investors to flock to the asset and push the price up.
If the merger fails (data is not transferred correctly to the Beacon chain), investors could sell their positions. This would show underlying issues with Ethereum that could impact usability.
Finally, some believe that The Merge is already integrated with Ethereum. Since the Ethereum Foundation has been quite transparent in terms of timing and logistics, The Merge will not necessarily bring something new to investors that they are not already aware of. As such, the day of the merger might provide little movement for the price of ETH.
Ethereum is perhaps the most widely available cryptocurrency and can be purchased on a variety of crypto trading platforms. Among the best are eToro and Robinhood.
To get started on any of these sites, go to the platform to register and verify your account. From there, connect your bank account and start trading.
eToro is headquartered in Cyprus, England and Israel. A major strength of eToro is its social trading operations, which allow new clients to copy the platform’s best performance. Its social trading features are top-notch, but eToro loses points for its disappointing search features and customer service.
When is the Ethereum merger?
The Ethereum organization has stated that there is a soft deadline of September 19, 2022 for The Merge. However, it looks like it will happen much sooner. The current estimate is September 15, 2022, around 01:00 UTC, based on when Total Terminal Difficulty (TTD) reaches a certain level.
The merger will essentially only change Ethereum’s consensus mechanism. However, this change will pave the way for other changes that will have a greater impact on the user experience. Sharding is the major update planned to follow The Merge.
Sharding will more evenly distribute data storage and validation across the network. The base of the share upgrade is already mostly built into the Beacon chain. There are still many hurdles for the Ethereum Foundation to overcome before sharding can be fully implemented.
Sharing will reduce transaction costs and increase speeds on the network. The merger is unlikely to significantly affect transaction costs or speeds; this paves the way for sharing to help evolve the network (with consensus change of course).
So should you buy Ethereum before the merger?
The Ethereum merger will change the Ethereum network. Whether or not to buy Ethereum before The Merge depends largely on your view of The Merge. If you see that it succeeds and provides benefits to users, it might be worth buying. Conversely, if you see it failing or worsening the user experience, selling or shorting could be ways to bring your trading in line with your opinion.
Either way, a decision on how to trade the Ethereum merger ultimately comes down to your opinion of how you see the merger unfolding.
African textile print.
African beads & prints.
African Textiles | Gallery. "African Textiles b.v. is a Dutch Web-company with a grand circle of buyers around the whole world. Our clients appreciate our high quality waxes and laces. And now we have extended our collection with something new!! In the last two years we have worked together with European and African designers on a new concept of African Fashion. African Wax Print was our point of departure - with a European twist."
Not sure what, but there's something about this that screams "Sophie" for the bar scenes...governance ZIL (GZIL) traded 1% lower against the U.S. dollar during the 1 day period ending at 8:00 AM Eastern on August 21st. One governance ZIL coin can now be purchased for $13.53 or 0.00064127 BTC on popular cryptocurrency exchanges. governance ZIL has a market capitalization of $7.58 million and $11,009.00 worth of governance ZIL was traded on exchanges in the last 24 hours. Over the last seven days, governance ZIL has traded 16.4% lower against the U.S. dollar.
The official website for governance ZIL is www.zilliqa.com/staking. governance ZIL’s official message board is blog.zilliqa.com/non-custodial-staking-to-release-on-the-zilliqa-mainnet-on-14-october-70d3a41097cb. The Reddit community for governance ZIL is https://reddit.com/r/zilliqa and the currency’s Github account can be viewed here. governance ZIL’s official Twitter account is @zilliqa.
It is usually not currently possible to purchase alternative cryptocurrencies such as governance ZIL directly using US dollars. Investors seeking to trade governance ZIL should first purchase Bitcoin or Ethereum using an exchange that deals in US dollars such as Coinbase, Gemini or GDAX. Investors can then use their newly-acquired Bitcoin or Ethereum to purchase governance ZIL using one of the exchanges listed above.I've never tried to combine stamp images on a card before so this was a first for me. With the current challenge from In The Pink (Fairies and Elves) at the back of my mind I wanted to do a pink fairy for it, after my attempt at a pink elf.
I've used Lili of the Valley's Fairies - On Tiptoe for the main image. Behind this I've used Grunge and Vintage Set 47 - Background Bits Old Romance. I've also used part of this same set to make the top right corner piece on the card.
All the stamped images were coloured with Pro-Lite Markers
The papers are from Lili of the Valley and NitWit Collections paper pad Always and Forever Solids and On A high Note
The pink ribbon is from Lili of the Valley Little Bags of Ribbon - Pink. The white lace is also from Lili of the Valley from when I visited their shop recently.
All the paper flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and I added some metal hearts around the flowers which I got in Hobby Craft
The extra embellishments are self adhesive pearl gems and a couple of mini brass butterflies.
To finish off I added some glitter to the fairies wings
The card actually came out better than I'd hoped so I entered it into the In The Pink Challenge 51 and Addicted to Stamps Challenge - Pastels (Soft) Colours. Let the experiments continue :)
Andrea x
Such a beautiful card, I love this sweet image and your embellishments look gorgeous!
Rebecca.
Thanks Rebecca, glad you like it :) x
Beautiful card...Thanks for joining in at In The Pink.... Hugz Gayle xx
What a lovely image, and cute card. Love it :-) Thanks for joining the ATSC. Hugs Rita
Thanks Rita, glad you like it xRetail Wayfair Is Opening Up 2 Pop-Up Shops to Target Customers for the Holiday Season Both are on the East CoastBy Ann-Marie Alcántara|October 4, 2018 Wayfair's first pop-up shops are coming to town.AMP AgencyShare By Ann-Marie Alcántara|October 4, 2018 Share The holiday season is just getting started. And