Ethereum 2.0 Epochs - Beacon Chain Explorer

Blockchains use blocks to keep records of transactions, and a link of blocks is what makes the blockchain. However, there are a lot of scalability issues associated with blockchain because of the slow transaction time. The Ethereum 2.0 uses epochs in its record keeping and validation process.

What Is an Epoch in Ethereum?

The Ethereum Epoch is a method of using time frames to gauge the authenticity of a chain. The epoch in Ethereum comprises 32 slots, and each slot gets filled in 12 seconds, so the Ethereum epoch is filled in 6 minutes and 24 seconds. Each block is proposed by a validator (more like miners in bitcoin block production) and other validators on the Ethereum 2.0 network attest to the credibility of the block within a specified epoch.

The Ethereum epoch is not the first time epochs will be used in cryptocurrency. We’ve witnessed epochs linked to Solana and Cardano. Solana’s epoch lasts around two days, while Cardano’s epoch lasts five days.

Importance of the Epoch to Ethereum 2.0

1. The epoch can be best described as a cycle in the blockchain. Each Ethereum epoch now adds 32 beacon chain blocks and, 2048 shard blocks to the network. The sharding process makes for a more sustainable and scalable ETH 2.0 without compromising security.
2. The Ethereum 2.0 current epoch is an indicator of the amount of time that has passed on the ETH 2.0 network. With this, validators can notice and report any irregularities on the network. Such anomaly can be traced when the number of the Ethereum current epoch exceeds 6.4 minutes.