With the Ethereum merge complete, the network has successfully graduated to a new stage in its development. So, now that the hype has died down and the camera crews have gone home, it’s time to talk about what we can tangibly take away from this event.

Blockchain technology has the potential to reshape the culture and practice of betting on anything from sports to reality television outcomes. Shops that embrace these changes will be poised to grow at a faster rate than industry peers as consumer expectations change.

The music industry as it stands is unsustainable for artists, which means it is unsustainable for all. Smart contracts may represent a solution but will require buy-in from a dedicated fanbase to work.

Quicker settlement times within the financial system are a thrilling concept, but change will start small and private.

At their core, networks such as Ethereum and Bitcoin are simply real-world implementations of the academic concept that is blockchain technology.

Quantum computing is both a major threat and a panacea for the long-term future of public blockchains.

NFTs may capture media attention, but it’s the underlying smart contracts themselves that can truly generate value for companies.