What Will Happen to My Ether After Ethereum's Merge?

The Ethereum Merge is coming. Here’s what to expect if you’re holding ether (ETH).

The impending Merge is set to tentatively replace Ethereum’s Mainnet with the Beacon Chain and a number of sharded chains in September 2022. This move marks the end of Ethereum’s proof-of-work (PoW) model as it completes the final transition to a proof-of-stake (PoS) model.

To explain this in simpler terms: imagine Ethereum is a racing car while Beacon Chain is a new, more fuel-efficient engine that will replace the old engine mid-race. Everything else about the car will remain the same, with one significant change — how the car runs. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is subject to change as more details on The Merge become available.

I’m HODLing Ether — How Do I Prepare for the Merge?

The short answer is that Binance users won’t need to do anything — The Merge will not affect the funds of holders. All funds will transfer over after The Merge, and ether will still appear as ETH in users’ wallets. However, Binance will temporarily pause ETH and ERC-20 token deposits and withdrawals until The Merge is complete. 

Binance users should be wary of scammers asking them to purchase “ETH2” tokens or transfer funds to a random wallet address to “complete the upgrade.” Binance will never ask users to send funds in this manner. 

How Will The Merge Affect Binance Products?

The majority of Binance services will be largely unaffected by The Merge besides a delisting of ETH from our mining service as well as a temporary pause on ETH borrowing, deposits, and withdrawals. Additionally, users who locked their ether on Binance’s Ethereum 2.0 staking service can swap their BETH tokens back to ETH if they wish after The Merge. For more details, users can refer. to our full announcement.

In the Event of a Fork

Please note that if Ethereum splits into two different networks — a process known as a fork — the “ETH” ticker on Binance will refer to the new Ethereum PoS chain. Binance will distribute the forked tokens according to a snapshot of users' ETH balance.

Understand that a fork may or may not happen. Any hard fork during The Merge will be unofficial. If an “unofficial” fork happens, Binance will release further details about token distribution in a future announcement. 

Speed, Gas Fees, and Staking

Here’s a quick breakdown of how The Merge will affect transaction speeds, gas fees, and staking for ether holders. 

1. Transaction speeds

Ether holders can expect similar transaction speeds after the upgrade. The slight changes will be unnoticeable to the average user. 

2. Gas fees

Ethereum gas fees will remain the same for now. In theory, the Ethereum upgrade sets the stage for sharding, opening up possibilities for cheaper gas fees in the future.

3. Staking

Instead of miners, people who stake ether will help secure the network. Do note that stakers won’t be able to withdraw their staked ETH for six to 12 months after The Merge. 

Once Ethereum implements the Shanghai Upgrade, however, the network will allow a total of up to 40,000 staked ETH in daily withdrawals. 

Get Ready for The Merge With Binance

The Merge is a significant milestone for the Ethereum network and the larger Web3 ecosystem. At Binance, we aim to ensure a seamless transition for users holding ETH. If you're keen on learning more about the Merge, visit our Ethereum Merge landing page. We’ll continue to update our blog and the official Binance Twitter as more details become available.