Ethereum merger is around the corner. It’s a topic we’ve covered more than once, so our regular readers will know exactly what we’re talking about. If you’re not one of them, don’t worry, we’re basically talking about a merger that will happen between two Ethereum networks, namely will end the possibility of mining it with GPU.

With this merger, we will move away from the current GPU-based mining model that revolves around what is known as “working test”based on a common consensus algorithm that uses complex mathematical calculations (hence the need for so much computing power) to model “document of participation”, which begins by evaluating the number of cryptocurrencies each miner has to verify transactions, create new blocks, and provide rewards.

This change in the model will have two very important consequences that can be clearly appreciated before its application. The first is that the demand for graphics cards for mining will drop tremendously. It won’t be enough for GPU cryptocurrency mining to disappear completelyas there are other cryptocurrencies that can continue to be mined with this component, but it is clear that this will have a huge impact and that it should be enough to ensure that we do not have to experience another crisis in the consumer graphics card market like the one that occurred at the end of 2020.

On the other hand, this also means that the carbon footprint associated with Ethereum will be significantly reduced. It is not difficult to understand, it will simply be a a direct result of the demise of large GPU based mining farmswhose power consumption is very high. Most likely these GPUs will eventually flood the used market and miners will also try to make money by selling as many components as possible.

And when will the merger take place? Well, according to the Ethereum Foundation will take place on September 15. The last information we had also pointed to the month of September, but it didn’t go until the 19th of that month. We can now see that the end date has moved forward slightly, although the truth is that this transition has been making headlines for some time and is actually experiencing significant delays.

There seems to be no going back, and I can’t deny that I’m very curious How will the industry respond? when the merger is complete and we find ourselves in front of Ethereum 2.0. It is very likely that the prices of graphics cards on the used market will drop, and the prices of GeForce RTX 30 and Radeon RX 6000 will drop even more.