Ethereum Testnet Activates Hard Fork Pectra
Ethereum Pectra Upgrade Implemented Successfully on Hoodi Test Network
In a significant development for Ethereum, the Pectra upgrade has been successfully deployed on the Hoodi test network. The results of this upgrade will be discussed during the upcoming ACDE Call.
Initially, testing on the Hoodi testnet looked promising. However, completing the full suite of validator tests will take at least a day to ensure the upgrade's robustness. The team is inviting everyone to tune in for more details about the upgrade's performance.
The journey to the Hoodi testnet launch was not without its challenges. Previous hard fork implementation tests in the Sepolia (consensus layer) and Holesky (execution layer) testnets experienced disruptions. In Sepolia, a malicious actor caused additional difficulties. In Holesky, despite restoring network functionality, it was impossible to verify Pectra's validator exit feature.
Consequently, developers decided to launch a new long-term testnet to complete the hard fork verification process. This led to the creation of the Hoodi testnet on March 17. The Nethermind client team commented that each successful testnet implementation brings them one step closer to the full Petra upgrade on mainnet.
While the deployment of Pectra in the main network is not expected to occur for another 30 days, other developments are happening concurrently. For instance, the Pascal upgrade in the EVM-compatible BNB Chain has implemented EIP-7702 from the upcoming Ethereum hard fork. This improvement allows wallets to temporarily function as smart contracts, expanding the capabilities of these applications.
Historically, Ethereum developers have discussed quickening the pace of network upgrades. The last hard fork, Dencun, took place in April 2024. The Pectra upgrade, with its focus on scalability, user experience, and validator efficiency, marks a crucial step in the continuous evolution of Ethereum. The upgrade includes 11 major Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) designed to optimize data handling for Layer-2 solutions, increase the maximum validator stake, and introduce account abstraction features.
During the upcoming ACDE Call, the team will discuss the results of the Ethereum Pectra upgrade, which has been successfully deployed on the newly created Hoodi test network. The successful implementation of each testnet brings developers one step closer to the full Petra upgrade on mainnet, promising to improve scalability, user experience, and validator efficiency.
