The Merge ramps up the rivalry between Bitcoin and Ether.

$Ethereum (ETH.CC)$ Now that Ethereum has completed its long-awaited network transformation, some are wondering whether Bitcoin might be next.
Early Thursday, the Ethereum blockchain changed the way it creates tokens and orders transactions in a shift dubbed the Merge. This involved moving away from a “proof-of-work” model that’s similar to the one used by $Bitcoin (BTC.CC)$ — and requires oodles of computing power — to one known as “proof-of-stake,” which involves putting up, or staking, Ether as part of the process of ordering transactions and minting coins. The shift means Ethereum is about to get 99% more energy efficient, by some estimates — a major appeasement to regulators and institutional investors, who have long clamored about how carbon-intensive it is to buy the top two cryptocurrencies.
But Bitcoin maximalists say the argument against following in Ethereum’s footsteps goes right back to the token’s origins. Proof-of-work uses an economic incentive to encourage miners to stay honest, rewarding them with new Bitcoin tokens for ordering valid transactions and denying the bad ones. Ethereum’s staking option, on the other hand, relies on people buying a lot of Ether and then trusting them not to hurt the network. Apples and oranges. (Though to be sure: Validators can have their staked Ether taken away, or “slashed,” if they are deemed by others on the blockchain to be causing harm.)
The two cryptocurrencies also have different purposes, making it harder to convince Bitcoiners that such a shift would be worth doing.