Ethereum’s BPO Fork Raises Blob Limit to Enhance Rollups

On January 7, Ethereum executed its second Blob Parameters Only (BPO) fork, raising the blob limit from 15 to 21 to enhance network scalability and reduce Layer 2 costs.

This upgrade significantly improves data availability for rollups, supporting Ethereum’s scalability strategy, and directly impacting ETH and Layer 2 ecosystems like Arbitrum and Optimism.

Blob Limit Increase Significantly Boosts Ethereum Scalability

Ethereum’s core developers undertook the BPO fork to enhance data availability, raising the blob limit from 15 to 21. This decision reflects the network’s continuing rollout of live parameter tuning to optimize infrastructure without full rewrites or extensive hard-fork planning.

The increased blob limit means more efficient transactions on the Ethereum network, significantly benefitting Layer 2 cost structuring. This will aid many ecosystems reliant on Ethereum’s framework, such as Arbitrum and Optimism.

“The BPO-style changes are parameter-only adjustments that can be done between major forks rather than full hard forks.” — Tim Beiko, Ethereum Foundation / Core Protocol Coordinator.

Vitalik Buterin emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between scalability and decentralization. Vitalik supported live parameter adjustments as critical in holding transaction costs steady while fostering more robust collaboration between Layer 1 and Layer 2 frameworks.

Ethereum Price Reactions and Expert Technological Outlook

Did you know? Ethereum’s introduction of blobs in the 2024 Dencun upgrade significantly reduced costs for Layer 2 rollups, setting a precedent for the latest changes in the BPO fork.

Ethereum (ETH) is currently priced at $3,119.56 according to CoinMarketCap, reflecting a 0.66% decrease over 24-hours. The market cap is $376.51 billion, showing dominant network control with a 12.09% market share. Over the past 90 days, Ethereum experienced significant price fluctuations, dropping by 22.15%.

Coincu research suggests that enhancing blob capacity could lead to positive technological and financial outcomes. Improved network effects enable cheaper transactions over time, reinforcing the backbone for future upgrades like Glamsterdam.