Ethereum’s potential for increased speed has taken center stage with a fresh proposal that could revolutionize the network’s efficiency. On June 26, 2025, Ethereum core developer Barnabé Monnot put forth a plan to slash the network’s slot time from 12 seconds to an ambitious six seconds. This adjustment, part of the Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP-7782), seeks to double the network’s block production rate. If adopted in the anticipated Glamsterdam upgrade set for 2026, it could significantly enhance transaction throughput and user experience.
A Leap Towards Speed
The blockchain sphere is no stranger to ambitious proposals, yet Monnot’s suggestion has sparked particular interest due to its potential impact. By trimming the time required for key consensus processes—block proposals, attestations, and aggregation—the network could achieve a more streamlined operation. The proposed reduction to a six-second cycle suggests faster block confirmations, offering fresh on-chain data and smoother interactions for wallets and decentralized applications.
This proposal emerges as Ethereum continues to pivot towards greater scalability and efficiency. While the notion of faster block times is enticing, experts remain cautiously optimistic. “While reducing slot times could enhance user experience, the feasibility hinges on extensive testing and potential network stability concerns,” comments blockchain analyst Alex Mitchell. “This isn’t just about speed; it’s about maintaining security and functionality.” As explored in our recent coverage of Ethereum whale activity, the network’s developments continue to attract significant attention from major investors.
ZKsync’s Airbender: A New Era
Meanwhile, ZKsync has unveiled its latest cryptographic breakthrough—Airbender. This prover, developed by Matter Labs, claims to process Ethereum block proofs in a mere 35 seconds with just one GPU. In the competitive layer-2 landscape, speed can be a game-changer, offering lower transaction fees and broader accessibility.
Alex Gluchowski, co-founder of Matter Labs, emphasizes the innovation’s implications. “We’re entering a realm where transaction costs are fractions of a cent. This is crucial for microtransactions and decentralized social platforms,” Gluchowski shared. The introduction of Airbender could indeed mark a turning point, unlocking faster finality and enabling proofs to be generated beyond traditional GPU farms.
Norway’s Stance on Crypto Mining
While Ethereum and ZKsync forge ahead with their technological advancements, Norway presents a contrasting narrative. The country’s Labour Party government has proposed a temporary ban on new crypto mining data centers relying on energy-heavy proof-of-work systems. If approved, the policy could take effect in Autumn 2025, aiming to prioritize electricity for more productive industries.
“Cryptocurrency mining consumes vast amounts of power yet offers minimal economic benefit,” states Karianne Tung, Norway’s Minister for Digitalization. Despite the abundance of renewable energy in Norway, the government seems determined to curb the environmental impact associated with crypto mining.
RippleX’s Advances on the XRP Ledger
Simultaneously, RippleX has rolled out version 2.5.0 of its “rippled” software, introducing a suite of amendments for the XRP Ledger. These include the noteworthy “TokenEscrow” and “Batch” features, which enhance the network’s functionality and governance capabilities. As RippleX urges validators to upgrade, the XRP Ledger continues to evolve, driven by both decentralized finance (DeFi) and compliance-focused enterprise developers. This follows a pattern of institutional adoption, which we detailed in our analysis of corporate treasury investments.
The Road Ahead
The cryptocurrency landscape is perpetually evolving, with each proposal and breakthrough shaping its future. While Ethereum’s speed enhancement proposal and ZKsync’s Airbender prover illustrate the relentless pursuit of efficiency, Norway’s regulatory stance reminds us of the ongoing challenges related to sustainability.
As we look to the future, the question remains: How will these developments influence the broader crypto ecosystem? The implications are vast, with the potential to redefine transaction speeds, regulatory landscapes, and the balance between innovation and environmental responsibility. These shifts are not merely technical—they are the groundwork for the next phase of blockchain’s journey.
Source
This article is based on: The Protocol: Ethereum Proposal That Could Make the Network Faster
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Steve Gregory is a lawyer in the United States who specializes in licensing for cryptocurrency companies and products. Steve began his career as an attorney in 2015 but made the switch to working in cryptocurrency full time shortly after joining the original team at Gemini Trust Company, an early cryptocurrency exchange based in New York City. Steve then joined CEX.io and was able to launch their regulated US-based cryptocurrency. Steve then went on to become the CEO at currency.com when he ran for four years and was able to lead currency.com to being fully acquired in 2025.
