The Protocol: Ethereum faces make-or-break moment as scaling, quantum and AI pressures mount
Plus: Solana developer platform, Balancer Labs to shut down and Bitcoin mining concentration triggers small reorg.
What to know:
Welcome to The Protocol, CoinDesk’s weekly wrap of the most important stories in cryptocurrency tech development. I’m Margaux Nijkerk, a reporter at CoinDesk.
In this issue:
— Ethereum faces make-or-break moment in high-stakes balancing act as scaling, quantum and AI pressures mount
— Solana Foundation taps Mastercard, Western Union, Worldpay for institutional developer platform
— Balancer Labs will shut down as corporate entity became ‘a liability’ after $110 million exploit
— Bitcoin’s mining concentration just showed up in a rare 2-block reorg
Network News
In Other News
Regulatory and Policy
Calendar
— Mar. 24-26, 2026: Digital Asset Summit, New York City
— Mar. 30-Apr. 2, 2026: EthCC, Cannes
— Apr.15-16, 2026: Paris Blockchain Week, Paris
— May 5-7, 2026: Consensus, Miami
— Sept. 29-Oct.1, 2026: Korea Blockchain Week, Seoul
— Oct. 7-8, 2026: Token2049, Singapore
— Nov. 3-6, 2026: Devcon, Mumbai
— Nov. 15-17, 2026: Solana Breakpoint, London