Ethereum Fusaka-Upgrade: The Balance Between Capacity and Stability

The recent Fusaka upgrade of Ethereum marks a turning point in the scaling strategy. The data processing capacity for Layer-2 blobs has been increased eightfold—a bold move to boost network throughput. However, current research reveals a critical tradeoff: as capacity expands, the network’s vulnerability to instability also grows.

Increased Blob Capacity Amplifies Network Strain

Extensive analyses by NS3.AI document a concerning pattern. Blocks with higher blob counts show measurable greater risks of failure. This instability puts the entire network under pressure and threatens the reliability of validation. The phenomenon is not isolated—it points to systemic vulnerabilities that become apparent with increased capacity.

Validator Behavior as a Hidden Trigger

Deeper investigations by MigaLabs and PandaOps uncovered a surprising finding: validator timing strategies are contributing to block failures. Validators utilize time windows in ways originally intended for other purposes. Paradoxically, the average number of blobs per block decreased, making the underlying issues even clearer— the problem is not overload, but coordination deficits.

Capacity Optimization Before Scaling Plans

Ethereum developers are responding pragmatically to these insights. Before undertaking further capacity increases, they plan a targeted interim update. This will optimize data distribution efficiency between nodes and improve validator coordination. The approach signals: rapid capacity expansion without prior stability checks is the wrong path. First optimize, then expand—that’s the new maxim in the Ethereum ecosystem.