Open Ethereum Clients Encounter ‘Consensus Error’ After Berlin Hard Fork; Coinbase Pauses ETH Withdrawals

The bug only affects the Open Ethereum client and occurred in the wake of today's Berlin hard fork.

AccessTimeIconApr 15, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 14, 2021 at 12:41 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

A consensus issue with the Open Ethereum client disrupted block production a few hours after today's Berlin hard fork. The Open Ethereum team fixed the flaw some hours after it arose.

An open GitHub issue for the software version states there was a “node issue after Berlin hard fork, not [sic] sync after block 12244294." The GitHub page’s comments include numerous Open Ethereum users whose nodes were knocked out of sync by the bug.

The Open Ethereum software version supports 12% of nodes on the Ethereum network.

Notably, the bug did not affect nodes running Ethereum’s most used client, Go Ethereum.

Coinbase pauses ETH withdrawals

Seemingly in response to the issue, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has disabled ETH and ERC-20 withdrawals, according to a tweet.

A Coinbase Support alert called "Ethereum Berlin Network Upgrade" noted that withdrawals were halted from both Coinbase and Coinbase Pro. Other services that relied on Open Ethereum like the Ethereum block explorer Etherscan and custodian BitGo were also affected by the bug.

Coinbase, the largest U.S. exchange, went public yesterday through a direct listing on Nasdaq.

Nate DiCamillo contributed reporting. This is a developing story and will be updated.

Updated April 15, 2021, 15:49 UTC: This article was updated to reflect that the Open Ethereum team has patched the consensus issue.

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.