Ethereum price targets $10,000 despite Merge upgrade delay

Ethereum price could rally after recovering from the recent crypto market bloodbath. The altcoin’s consensus layer launch, the shift from Proof-of-Work to Proof-of-Stake is pushed to Q3 2022. 

Ethereum Merge pushed to Q3 2022

The Merge is a much-awaited event among Ethereum holders as the altcoin shifts from Proof-of-Work to Proof-of-Stake. In January 2022, the team behind Ethereum development re-branded the update to “consensus layer” instead of “ETH2.” 

Tim Bieko, an Ethereum core developer, confirmed that the protocol’s anticipated shift to Proof-of-Stake is scheduled for Q3 2022. Bieko confirmed this is the “final chapter of Proof-of-Work,” while the reason for the delay remains unknown. 

The final testnet period could last three months, according to Parit Hosh, a Validator Whisperer at the Ethereum Foundation. The testnet’s timely completion is key to the launch of the consensus layer on the mainnet. 

Proponents believe the much-awaited event could positively influence Ethereum’s price. The implementation of burn with the EIP-1559 protocol inspired the Ethereum Triple Halving thesis, which predicts a rally in ETH price equivalent to three and a half Bitcoin halvings. 

FXStreet analysts have evaluated the Ethereum price trend after it suffered a steep decline over the past week. There is a cluster of support for Ethereum price, ranging from $2,800 to $3,000. 

Analysts argue that the drop below the high volume node at $3,300 is a bearish indicator for Ethereum, and the altcoin could remain stagnant. 

@IAmCryptoWolf, a pseudonymous crypto analyst and trader, has an opposite viewpoint. The analyst argues that the macro view for Ethereum has remained unchanged, and the massive ascending triangle sets the target at $10,000. 

A break below $2,500 could invalidate the bullish thesis for Ethereum price.