Is Ethereum Proof of Stake Sustainable? — Considering from the Perspective of Competition Among Smart Contract Platforms

Abstract

Since the Merge update upon which Ethereum transitioned to Proof of Stake, it has been touted that it resulted in lower power consumption and increased security. However, even if that is the case, can this state be sustained?

In this paper, we focus on the potential impact of competition with other smart contract platforms on the price of Ethereum’s native currency, Ether (ETH), thereby raising questions about the safety and sustainability purportedly brought about by the design of Proof of Stake.

Keywords: Proof of Stake, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Smart Contract, Competition

JEL Classification: B31, E42, E51