How Ethereum quietly crushed its $50 gas problem in 2026

TL;DR:

After years of high fees, Ethereum has finally unclogged, bringing everyday users back to the mainnet.

Key Points:

Background:

Protocol upgrades involve changes to a blockchain's underlying code to add features, improve performance, or fix security issues. Major upgrades like Ethereum's transition to Proof-of-Stake or Bitcoin's Taproot activation represent significant technical milestones in blockchain evolution.

Why It Matters:

Protocol upgrades can fundamentally change how a blockchain operates, affecting scalability, security, and functionality. These technical improvements drive long-term value and competitiveness of blockchain networks in the rapidly evolving crypto ecosystem.