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.
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.
Beware of scammers trying to trick you into accepting malicious airdrops. More on this here.
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.
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.
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.
However, you're free to use your ETH to set up your own validator. A solo-staking guide is available here.