The network has raised blob throughput limits as part of preparations for its next major upgrade.
Ethereum developers have increased the network’s blob capacity as part of ongoing preparations for the upcoming Fusaka upgrade, according to reporting by CoinDesk. The change affects how much data can be included in each block, with direct implications for rollups and layer-2 networks.
The adjustment relates to “blobs,” a data structure introduced with Ethereum’s Dencun upgrade in March 2024 through EIP-4844, also known as proto-danksharding. Blobs are designed to carry large amounts of temporary data at a lower cost than traditional calldata, primarily to support rollups that batch transactions off-chain and post compressed data back to Ethereum.
According to CoinDesk, Ethereum has increased the target and maximum number of blobs per block, allowing more rollup data to be posted in each block. This change was implemented via a network parameter update rather than a full hard fork, following prior coordination among core developers. The adjustment is intended to accommodate rising demand from layer-2 networks, which have seen steady growth in transaction volumes over the past year.
The Fusaka upgrade, which remains under development, is expected to introduce further changes to Ethereum’s execution and data availability layers. While Fusaka does not yet have a finalized activation date, developers have indicated that scaling-related improvements are a central focus. Increasing blob capacity ahead of the upgrade allows the network to relieve immediate congestion without waiting for a broader protocol update.
Since the introduction of blobs, rollups such as Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base have significantly reduced average transaction fees for end users. However, periods of high activity have occasionally pushed blob usage toward capacity limits, resulting in higher data fees for rollup operators. Raising the blob ceiling increases short-term headroom while longer-term scaling work continues.
Developers emphasized that blob data remains temporary and is pruned after a set period, preserving Ethereum’s long-term storage requirements. No changes were made to Ethereum’s consensus rules or validator responsibilities as part of this adjustment.
Why This Matters
The increase in blob capacity directly affects Ethereum’s data availability layer, reducing cost pressure on rollups during periods of high usage. From an infrastructure perspective, it improves short-term scalability without altering security assumptions, while signaling that scaling via layer-2 networks remains a core priority ahead of the Fusaka upgrade.
Source
CoinDesk