Ethereum Core Developers Delay Pectra Mainnet Fork to Mid-May
The main focus of the recent All-Core Developers call was the decision to replace Holesky with Hoodi as the primary testing environment for Pectra. Key points include:
- Holesky's validator exit queue has surpassed one million, necessitating a new test environment.
- Four options were debated:
- Launch a new testnet (Hoodi)
- Use DevNet 6 temporarily
- Create a short-term shadow fork of Holesky
- Implement a hard fork to clear Holesky's exit queue
- Protocols like Lido and EigenLayer preferred Option D but were overruled by core devs who prioritized stability.
- Core developers expressed concerns about risks associated with hard-forking and potential delays in Fusaka development.
- Pectra's mainnet launch is now delayed to mid-May, with Hoodi going live on March 17 and Pectra activating on March 26.
- The deadline for submitting EIPs for Fusaka is set for March 24, with feedback from core teams due by March 31.
- Tim Beiko suggested moving more EIP proposal presentations to an asynchronous format to streamline future calls.
This situation highlights the importance of maintaining protocol stability while addressing urgent testing needs. Investors should monitor developments closely as they impact key protocols in Ethereum's ecosystem.