Cryptoverse: After Merge, ether heads for a $20-bn Shanghai splurge

The next significant upgrade for Ethereum is the 'Shanghai', expected by market participants in around six months' time, which is aimed at reducing its high transaction costs

The Merge came, saw and conquered. Not that you'd guess from crypto prices.
 

The Ethereum blockchain's mega-upgrade finally went live on Sept. 15, moving it to a less energy-intensive "proof of stake" (PoS) system with hardly a hiccup.
 

Even though anticipation of the event had seen ether rise about 85% from its June doldrums, it has since sunk 19%, hit along with bitcoin and other risky assets by investor angst over inflation and central-bank policy.
 

Nonetheless, many market players are bullish about the long-term prospects of Ethereum and its native cryptocurrency.
 

"Previously, we have talked to sovereign wealth funds and