Ethereum Raises Gas Limit to 45 Million in Major Step Toward Scaling and Higher Throughput

Ethereum Raises Gas Limit to 45 Million as Validators Push Toward Scalable Future

Ethereum has increased its block gas limit from 36 million to 45 million units, a 25% jump aimed at boosting transaction throughput. Activated at block 22,968,004 with nearly half of validators signaling support, the change enhances the network’s ability to process more transactions and smart contracts per block without requiring a hard fork.

This move aligns with Ethereum’s broader scaling roadmap, which includes a near-term target of 60 million gas per block and a long-term goal of 150 million, potentially enabled by the upcoming Fusaka hard fork (EIP-7935). To maintain stability, developers implemented EIP-7983, limiting single transaction gas use to 16.77 million units to guard against DoS attacks.

JPMorgan Explores Crypto-Backed Loans as CEO Jamie Dimon Softens on Bitcoin

JPMorgan Chase is reportedly considering offering loans backed by crypto assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, marking a significant shift in traditional banking’s stance on digital assets. The bank may launch the service by 2026, though plans remain fluid.

The move follows recent comments by JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, who indicated a growing interest in stablecoins and crypto infrastructure during the bank’s July 15 earnings call. This represents a notable pivot for Dimon, who previously called Bitcoin a “fraud” and “Ponzi scheme” but now defends individuals’ rights to buy the asset.

Justice Department Closes Criminal Probe Into Kraken Co-Founder Jesse Powell After Verge Dispute

The U.S. Department of Justice has ended its criminal investigation into Kraken co-founder Jesse Powell, according to newly revealed court documents. The probe, which included a 2023 FBI raid of Powell’s Los Angeles home, stemmed from allegations that he accessed and interfered with accounts belonging to Verge Center for the Arts—a nonprofit he co-founded and was removed from in 2022.

Powell has denied wrongdoing and filed a defamation lawsuit against Verge. In a statement, he called the investigation personally and professionally damaging and pledged to continue pursuing legal action. The DOJ confirmed the case was closed in April 2025 but noted it may reopen the inquiry if necessary. Powell previously stepped down as Kraken CEO in 2022 following controversies surrounding his workplace behavior.

SEC Approves Then Halts Bitwise Crypto ETF Conversion Amid Internal Review and Broader ETF Framework Talks

The U.S. SEC initially granted accelerated approval for Bitwise’s proposal to convert its Bitwise 10 Crypto Index Fund (BITW) into an ETF—but quickly paused the decision for internal review. The reversal, announced by Assistant Secretary Sherry R. Haywood, follows a similar move made earlier this month regarding Grayscale’s ETF conversion efforts.

BITW includes BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, and other large-cap assets on a market-weighted basis. The SEC’s sudden stay raises questions about the agency’s internal processes, with experts speculating the delays may be tied to political friction or the development of a broader crypto ETF framework. Analysts James Seyffart and Scott Johnsson suggested the SEC may be intentionally stalling while it works on a new listing standard to streamline future crypto ETF approvals.