Consensys and MetaMask Makes Case For Ethereum Gas Limit Increase

Blockchain infrastructure and technology outfit Consensys has publicly supported the growing proposal to increase the Ethereum gas limit. Consensys noted that it is backing this move alongside its non-custodial wallet MetaMask and 40% of validators from the network. The firm is convinced that increasing this gas limit is essential for ETH to fulfill its ambitions.

Consensys, MetaMask and the Ethereum Gas Limit Trend

As pointed out on X, the crypto unicorn believes that Ethereum’s base layer must be scaled to attain its optimal functionalities. The firm hinted that this scaling begins with removing the gas fee. The call for a gas limit is expanding, with a 40% validator count backing the push.

Consensys pointed out that improving the gas limit implies that each Ethereum block can include more complex transactions. This lowers the gas cost needed to confirm these transactions, and delays are cleared in the short term. Ultimately, the goal is to allow developers to build more complex applications in the long term.

Other major developers in the ecosystem are backing the Ethereum gas limit hike plan. In its deep dive in December, Galaxy Researcher Christine Kim revealed Nethermind’s developer Marek Moraczyński is in support of the ETH gas limit hike.

At the time, major validators Coinbase and Kraken were indecisive about whether to back the move or not.

Scaling Ethereum: Need for Acceleration

The conversations around increasing the gas limit date back to March 2024. Despite the benefits of increasing the gas limit, many in the Ethereum ecosystem still oppose the proposal. Among the numerous reasons cited are security concerns, storage and bandwidth, and centralized risks that may be encountered.

Should the gas limit expand, adding more transactions may make the chain propagate slowly. Critics believe this will impact the network synchronization, with the lag fueling a security challenge. It is worth noting that Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin is among those advocating for a cautious limit to prevent many unforeseen circumstances.

Amid this conversation, Paradigm wants ecosystem acceleration, as it argued recently that the protocol is innovating at subpar level. The research and investment firm noted that the protocol ships upgrades slowly, with a need to change this trend.

Per the report, the firm advocated changing the veto powers of the validators while improving R&D to solve the issues.

Ecosystem Trends to Note

Amid the growing clamor for gas limit increase, the Ethereum ecosystem will soon welcome the Pectra Upgrade. In a recent update, core developers have agreed to launch Pectra upgrade in mid-March. The upgrade will help usher in enhanced scalability, driving massive usability for both users and developers.

In addition, the Ethereum Layer-2 ecosystem boasts new additions on regular basis. Among the top L2s in the ecosystem include Base, Arbitrum, Optimism, and the newly launched Sony’s Soneium.