Here's When Ethereum Will Pull the Plug on These Testnets & What's Next
The Ethereum network is constantly evolving, and that means changes to the testnets that support its development. In a recent blog post, the Ethereum network will shut down testnets like Ropsten, Kiln, and Rinkeby. These testnets have acted as mirrors of the original upgrade and are being retired as Ethereum progresses.
Ethereum's Focus Shifts to Pectra and Beyond
Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade follows last year's Dencun upgrade. It introduces features to augment capabilities and improve efficiency. An X post disclosed that a major focus would be on Ethereum’s new testnet, Hoodi, which is set to undergo the Pectra fork on Ma. The testnet is expected to play a vital role in testing and validating the upgrade.
Ethereum Upgrade Schedule Released: Testnet Activation Dates
The schedule for Ethereum’s Dencun upgrade on testnets is now final, with Goerli, Sepolia, and Holesky, three critical testnets, ready for implementation within the next. The Goerli testnet, taking the lead, with a scheduled upgrade on January 17 at UTC, at epoch. Following closely, Sepolia will also undergo the upgrade process. Once both testnets have successfully upgraded, a mainnet activation epoch will be chosen.
Holesky Testnet and Pectra Upgrade Timeline
Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade is set for February 24 on Holesky testnet, with a mainnet rollout expected by Ap. This outlines the progression and priorities for the new upgrades and testnet lifecycles.
Navigating Disagreements and Moving Forward
While development progresses, disagreements over the Fusaka upgrade timeline have been noted. However, the Ethereum community continues to work towards a unified vision for the future of the network and its testing environments.