Ethereum 2.0 is here!   Ethereum was launched with a proof-of-work (PoW) consensus algorithm in 2015, but its vision has always been to become an energy-efficient proof-of-stake (PoS) network.   In 2020, the Ethereum Foundation launched a "beacon chain" with a proof of stake mechanism, an independent chain parallel to the Ethereum mainnet. It is represented as "Eth2".    Beacon is kept isolated from the main network to avoid risks to the incredible decentralized application platform of the Ethereum PoW chain or Eth1. It also helped them to make the product perfect before being shipped. Already, millions of Eth are deposited across over 240K validators globally.    Right now,  → 'Eth1' is the execution layer, which handles transactions and execution. → 'Eth2' is the 'consensus layer', which handles proof-of-stake consensus.   The Merge is simply merging Eth1 & Eth2. This will shift the entire proof-of-work consensus to proof-of-stake without disturbing the data layer of Ethereum. All the previous transactions will be safe.💡

There will be two stages for the merge to be public in the crypto market- Stage 1: Bellatrix, happening on September 6. Stage 2: Paris, happening between 10 & 20 September.   Fact, it could result in a 99.95% reduction in total energy use, with proof-of-stake being ~2000x more energy-efficient than proof-of-work.