8 Misconceptions about The Merge

Misconception: "Running a node requires staking 32 ETH."

• False. Anyone is free to sync their own self-verified copy of Ethereum (i.e. run a node). No ETH is required. Not before The Merge, not after The Merge, not ever.

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Misconception: "The Merge will reduce gas fees."

• False. The Merge is a change of consensus mechanism, not an expansion of network capacity, and will not result in lower gas fees.

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Misconception: "Transactions will be noticeably faster after The Merge."

• False. Though some slight changes exist, transaction speed will mostly remain the same on layer 1.

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Misconception: "You can withdraw staked ETH once The Merge occurs."

• False. Staking withdrawals are not yet enabled with The Merge. The following Shanghai upgrade will enable staking withdrawals.

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Misconception: "Validators will not receive any liquid ETH rewards til the Shanghai upgrade when withdrawals are enabled."

• False. Fee tips/MEV will be credited to a Mainnet account controlled by the validator, available immediately.

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Misconception: "When withdrawals are enabled, stakers will all exit at once."

• False. Validator exits are rate limited for security reasons.

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Misconception: "Staking APR is expected to triple after The Merge."

• False. More up-to-date estimations predict closer to a 50% increase in APR post-merge, not a 200% increase.

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Misconception: "The Merge will result in downtime of the chain."

• False. The Merge upgrade is designed to transition to proof-of-stake with zero downtime.

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The Merge represents the joining of the existing execution layer of Ethereum (the Mainnet we use today) with its new proof-of-stake consensus layer, the Beacon Chain. It eliminates the need for energy-intensive mining and instead secures the network using staked ETH. A truly exciting step in realizing the Ethereum vision – more scalability, security, and sustainability.