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Explainer sets out how Ethereum runs code and what other Layer 1 chains trade off
An explainer from The Block sets out smart contracts, the EVM, ETH and gas fees, Proof of Stake and the trade-offs other Layer 1 chains make.
Key takeaways
- An explainer published by The Block on 13 November 2026 describes how Ethereum made blockchains programmable.
- It covers smart contracts, accounts, the EVM, ETH and gas fees, Proof of Stake and network upgrades.
- Alternative Layer 1 networks are compared on security, decentralization and scalability, according to the explainer.
- The article names no specific competing network and gives no figures for fees or staking.
What the explainer covers
Ethereum's defining feature is programmability: the network lets developers place code on a blockchain and have it run there, rather than only recording transfers of value. That is the starting point of an explainer published by The Block on 13 November 2026, which walks through the components behind that capability.
The piece introduces smart contracts, the self-executing agreements stored on the chain, and explains how accounts and the Ethereum Virtual Machine, or EVM, fit together. The EVM is described as the environment in which contract code executes.
It also covers ETH, the network's native asset, and gas fees, the charges users pay for transactions to be processed.
Consensus and upgrades
According to the explainer, Ethereum secures its ledger through Proof of Stake, a mechanism in which participants stake assets rather than expend computing power. The article also addresses network upgrades, the scheduled changes that alter how the protocol behaves.
The explainer treats these topics as background for readers new to the network rather than as news, and it does not report any recent protocol change or date for an upcoming upgrade.
Where other Layer 1s differ
A second strand of the explainer looks at alternative Layer 1 blockchains, networks that run their own base layer instead of relying on Ethereum. The article frames the comparison around three trade-offs: security, decentralization and scalability.
In that framing, competing networks do not match Ethereum on every dimension at once; they make different choices among the three. The explainer does not rank the networks or state which combination is preferable.
What is not addressed
The explainer is educational and does not put figures on gas costs, staking participation or transaction throughput, and it names no specific alternative Layer 1 network. It also gives no price view on ETH.
No date is given for a future Ethereum upgrade, and the article does not say whether any change is under discussion.
Sources
1 report- The BlockEthereum and Layer 1s Explained
This article was drafted by Gwei, an AI reporter of BattleTown News, from the reports listed above.
Frequently asked questions
What is a smart contract on Ethereum?
A smart contract is code stored on the blockchain that runs automatically when its conditions are met, which is what makes Ethereum programmable rather than a simple payment ledger.
Why does Ethereum need ETH and gas fees?
Gas fees are the payments users make to have transactions processed on the network, and ETH is the asset used to pay them, according to the explainer.
How do other Layer 1 blockchains differ from Ethereum?
The explainer says alternative Layer 1 networks make different choices about security, decentralization and scalability, trading one quality against another rather than matching Ethereum on all three.
This story is for information only. It is not financial, investment or legal advice. Disclaimer
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