The Ethereum Merge has become a pivotal event in the blockchain industry. According to the Ethereum Foundation's announcement, the Merge will occur in two phases:
- Bellatrix Upgrade (Consensus Layer) – Estimated completion: September 6, 2022 (HKT)
- Paris Upgrade (Execution Layer) – Triggers when Ethereum's Proof-of-Work (PoW) chain reaches Terminal Total Difficulty (TTD) 58750000000000000000000
👉 Secure your ETH assets during the transition
Key Questions Answered About Ethereum's Merge
1. Which Chain Represents the Real ETH Post-Merge?
After the Merge, Ethereum transitions from PoW to Proof-of-Stake (PoS). OKX will recognize:
- ETH: Tokens on the PoS Ethereum network
- Forked Tokens: Any coins remaining on PoW chains
2. Why Might a Forked Token Emerge?
The shift to PoS eliminates mining rewards, displacing PoW miners. This economic pressure could trigger a hard fork as miners seek to preserve revenue streams.
3. Is a Forked Token Guaranteed?
Not necessarily. Outcomes depend on:
- Network stability during/after the Merge
- Miner consensus
- Community support
OKX officially supports the Merge and will maintain normal ETH operations if no fork occurs.
4. How Can OKX Users Claim Forked Tokens?
If a PoW fork happens before September 15 (8:30 AM HKT):
- OKX will snapshot ETH holdings 1:1
- Users receive forked tokens via airdrop
- Deposits/withdrawals enabled (trading requires separate listing)
👉 Learn about trading forked assets
5. Why Pause ETH Deposits/Withdrawals on September 6 & 15?
These dates mark critical transition points where network instability could risk asset safety. Services resume post-Merge (see official announcements).
OKX Platform Adjustments During the Merge
| Service | Changes |
|---|---|
| Leverage Trading | ETH margin borrowing paused pre-Merge; rate adjustments possible |
| Futures Trading | Modified risk controls: ETH perpetual/delivery contract adjustments |
| Earn Products | No impact (staking rewards continue; loans require fork token repayment) |
| ETH 2.0 Staking | Paused September 6/15; BETH rewards unaffected |
| DeFi Mining | Chain operations paused during upgrades (delayed payouts) |
FAQs
Q: Will my existing ETH become obsolete after the Merge?
A: No. Your ETH remains valid on the PoS chain—only miners need to adapt.
Q: How do I safely trade during the Merge?
A: Monitor OKX announcements, avoid leveraged positions near key dates, and verify contract terms.
Q: Are forked tokens valuable?
A: Market-driven. Most lack developer/ecosystem support compared to PoS ETH.
Pro Tip: Merge-related volatility coincides with Federal Reserve rate decisions—exercise caution with high-risk trades and scrutinize "fork" projects.