ETHGas launches GWEI to organize Ethereum block space.

• GWEI governs programmable blockspace market
• ETHGas seeks predictable execution on Ethereum.
• Token enhances on-chain coordination and reduces gas volatility.

The ETHGas protocol announced the launch From its native governance token, GWEI, with the goal of reorganizing how Ethereum's block space is allocated. The proposal is to transform what currently functions as a market based on blind gas auctions into a programmable, tradable, and more predictable system for on-chain applications.

Introducing $GWEI: the governance token for ETHGas.

Built to govern Realtime Ethereum. pic.twitter.com/tMJ91RVAkG

—ETHGas Foundation (@ETHGasFNDN) January 13, 2026

This initiative follows ETHGas raising $12 million in a previous funding round backed by Polychain Capital. Since then, the project has been developing an infrastructure aimed at meeting the growing demand for predictable execution, especially from applications and institutional participants operating at scale on the Ethereum network.

Related Stories

ETHGas raises US$12 million and launches Ethereum block futures.

17/12/2025

According to the ETHGas team, Ethereum remains the primary settlement layer in the cryptocurrency market. However, the way block space is distributed has not evolved at the same pace as adoption, resulting in volatile gas costs and delays in transaction execution. The protocol's proposal is to separate the concept of gas from the actual block capacity, treating block space as an asset that can be reserved, priced, and traded in advance.

The GWEI token was designed as the coordination layer of this system. Through it, holders participate in the protocol's governance, voting on parameter changes, technical updates, and treasury-related decisions. Voting power is linked to staking mechanisms and lock-up periods, aligning long-term incentives.

The launch of GWEI continues initiatives presented last year, when ETHGas unveiled an Ethereum block futures market that accumulated approximately US$800 million in liquidity commitments. The central proposal is to allow applications to move away from reactively competing in the public mempool and instead secure early execution, reducing operational uncertainties.

In Ethereum's operation, gas acts as a pricing mechanism that regulates access to block space, while the space itself represents the limited capacity of the blocks. ETHGas focuses its efforts on this second element, arguing that predictability in execution depends on more direct management of this capacity.

The topic has been gaining attention within the ecosystem. Vitalik Buterin has already discussed the possibility of gas futures markets without intermediaries as a way to mitigate rate volatility. ETHGas's approach fits into this debate by proposing coordination via on-chain governance, instead of pure competition within the mempool.

The team reported that the eligibility criteria for the initial distribution of GWEI to the community will be released on January 19, while additional details about tokenomics are expected to be presented later.