During the Devcon 2024 event, Ethereum 
$3,202 Foundation researcher Justin Drake proposed a new consensus layer update called “Beam Chain.” This update aims to enhance the speed, scalability, and security of the Ethereum blockchain. The strong increase in ETH prices has sparked discussions in the crypto market regarding this proposal.
Beam Chain Proposal
Justin Drake noted that Beam Chain could be a significant milestone in the evolution of the Ether network. Unlike previous updates, this proposal intends to utilize zero-knowledge (ZK) cryptographic technology to provide a faster and more efficient network.
Beam Chain will be a major step for the future of the network.
Drake explained that Beam Chain would facilitate faster block production and the elimination of some existing structures, such as epochs, in favor of simpler slot-based intervals.
Increasing Validator Participation
The proposal aims to reduce validator requirements from 32 ETH to 1 ETH. This change intends to make ETH more accessible for new validators, encouraging broader participation in securing the network.
We are offering an excellent opportunity for new participants.
Drake hopes that this change will foster greater participation in network security.
ZK-SNARKs Integration and Security
The Beam Chain proposal plans to integrate zk-SNARKs, a cryptographic proof that provides security without revealing private data. Drake emphasized that this is a crucial step for Ethereum to achieve “post-quantum security.”
According to the proposed timeline, upon community approval, the Ethereum development team will begin working on technical standards in 2025, build in 2026, and initiate a comprehensive testing phase in 2027.
This timeline indicates a long-term commitment to integrating Beam Chain into the Ethereum mainnet.
Impact on ETH Price
As ETH trades at $3,300 today, the daily trading volume has risen by 52% to reach $68 billion. The Ethereum Foundation’s new proposal may enhance the attractiveness of cryptocurrency for market participants. Standard Chartered predicts that the ETH price could reach $10,000, reinforcing market confidence in the altcoin.
The Ethereum Foundation’s Beam Chain proposal stands out for its potential to enhance the network’s speed, scalability, and security. This update could contribute to the increase in ETH pricing and promote wider participation. For market participants, this development may be seen as a positive sign for the future of Ethereum.
