What is Ethereum 2.0?

Ethereum 2.0, sometimes called Eth2 or Serenity, is an upgrade to the Ethereum blockchain. Its goal is to increase the speed, efficiency, and scalability of the Ethereum network while not compromising its security or decentralization. In this respect, it is an attempt to overcome the so-called 'blockchain trilemma' (the widely held belief that with respect to decentralization, security, and scalability, blockchain networks can only optimize for two of the three features at once).

Ethereum 2.0 integrates several fundamental changes to the structure and design of Ethereum - both technical and economic. Two of the key changes are the move to 'proof of stake' and the addition of 'sharding.'