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Ethereum Merge FAQ

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This FAQ answers the most common questions about the Ethereum Merge and how it will impact Ledger users.
 You can learn more about the Merge here.

 Ethereum Merge Complete!

  • The Merge has been completed! Ethereum is now a PoS blockchain 🐼
  • Ethereum service (send and swap) was briefly paused in Ledger Live during the Merge but has now resumed as normal. Learn more here.
  • To learn how the Merge will affect Ledger users, read on.

 TLDR;

  • The Merge will not have a noticeable impact on how you use your Ledger Ethereum account.
  • It's completely safe to keep your ETH, NFTs and ERC20 tokens in your Ledger Ethereum account before, during and after the Merge.
  • On the day of the Merge, Ledger Live will pause Ethereum services (directly on the app and also through the Discover section) for as little time as possible, while making sure the network is stable and safe to use.
  • Though you'll still be able to access your Ledger Ethereum account via third-party services like Metamask, it's strongly recommended to avoid high-value transactions and NFT transfers during the Merge.
  • Important events like the Merge are magnets for scammers trying to gain access to your 24-word recovery phrase. Beware! You do NOT need to update/upgrade/sync/migrate your Ethereum accounts with your 24-word recovery phrase leading up to the Merge.
What is the Merge?

The Merge is arguably the most important milestone in Ethereum's history to date. The Merge will change the way the Ethereum network comes to consensus. Consensus means agreeing on how new blocks are produced and ordered in the Ethereum blockchain.
Ethereum currently relies on proof-of-work (PoW) to create and order new blocks. After the Merge, POW will be "retired" and proof-of-stake (PoS) will become the new consensus mechanism. You can learn more about the Merge here.

When will the Merge happen?
The Merge is currently scheduled to happen around September 15, 2022. However, this date might be subject to slight changes. You can learn more here.
Is it safe to keep my Ethereum assets in my Ledger Ethereum account during the Merge?
Yes, it's completely safe and recommended to leave your ETH, NFTs and ERC20 tokens in your Ledger Ethereum account during the Merge. The Merge won't affect your assets.
Will I get an ETH2 coin airdrop after the Merge?
No, you won't get an airdrop. This is not how the Merge works. Instead, your Ledger Ethereum account in Ledger Live will display the exact same ETH, NFT and ERC20 balances as before.
Beware of scammers trying to trick you into accepting malicious airdrops. More on this here.
Will the Merge make Ethereum cheaper to use?
No. Unfortunately, the Merge is not designed to make Ethereum cheaper to use.
Will the merge make Ethereum faster?
Not really. In the current POW system, new blocks of transactions are added to the blockchain every ~13 seconds on average. After the Merge, new blocks will be added at a regular 12-second interval. Although this should translate into a very slight speed increase, it's unlikely the change will be noticeable.
Will you continue supporting the legacy Ethereum POW network?
It's complicated. A minority of Ethereum miners have expressed their intention to continue mining on the legacy POW chain after the Merge. However, there is no guarantee that this will be the case.
Even if the POW chain survives the Merge, Ledger Live will not support it until we're absolutely sure it's safe to use and that it has attracted enough hashrate to be secure. This means that you won't be able to see your ETHW (ETHpow) balance and other Ethereum POW assets in Ledger Live after the Merge. You can learn more about Ledger's decision not to support Ethereum Pow here.
Can I use my Ledger and third-party software to access my Ethereum POW account?
Yes, if Ethereum POW launches you will be able to access your Ethereum POW account(s) with your Ledger device and third-party software like Metamask. However, we strongly recommend avoiding transacting on Ethereum POW before the chain is safe to use. You can learn more here.
Will the Ethereum network stop functioning during the Merge?

No, the Ethereum network will continue functioning throughout the Merge.

However, on the day of the Merge, Ledger Live will pause Ethereum services (sending/receiving/staking ETH, tokens and NFTs, as well as Ethereum dapps in the Discover section) for as little time as possible, while making sure the network is stable and safe to use.

Though you'll still be able to access your Ledger Ethereum account via third-party services like Metamask, it's strongly recommended to avoid high-value transactions and NFT transfers during the Merge.
We will inform the community once the network has stabilized, follow us on Twitter for more information.

Will I need to "upgrade" my Ethereum account and assets before the Merge?
No, your Ethereum account and ETH, NFTs and ERC20 assets do not require an update/upgrade/migration/transfer/sync before or after the Merge.
However, it's possible that Ledger Live and the Ethereum app on your Ledger device might need an update around the time of the Merge but this update will NOT require using your 24-word recovery phrase. Follow us on Twitter for more information.
I have 32 ETH, will I be able to solo-stake via Ledger Live immediately after the Merge?
No, we don't have an ETA for supporting solo-staking your ETH in Ledger Live after the Merge.
However, you're free to use your ETH to set up your own validator. A solo-staking guide is available here.
I am a solo-staker, will I be able to unstake my ETH after the Merge?
No, you won’t be able to unstake until withdrawals are implemented via a future network upgrade (codename Shanghai). It could take a year (or more) after the Merge before the Shanghai upgrade is implemented and unstaking is enabled.
I have Lido stETH tokens in my Ethereum account, what happens to them after the Merge?
Nothing, your stETH (and Lido) will continue functioning normally after the Merge. You will continue receiving stETH staking rewards in your Ethereum account. You will continue being able to swap stETH for ETH in Ledger Live via Paraswap or 1inch. You can learn more about how the Merge affects Lido here.
Any questions or doubts?
We can help!
Contact us via the Help button on our Support page or on Twitter @Ledger_Support.

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