Ethereum All Core Developers Hold 200th Meeting Ahead of Devcon
This is a segment from the 0xResearch newsletter.
200th Ethereum All Core Developers Call
The latest Ethereum All Core Developers (ACD) call marked its 200th meeting. Christine Kim noted these calls remain open and accessible, serving as critical forums for governance decisions regarding Ethereum.
Pectra Upgrade and Devcon Insights
Developers discussed updates on testing networks for the upcoming Pectra upgrade. Several participants gathered in Thailand ahead of the annual Ethereum conference, Devcon.
Mekong Launch
A highlight was the launch of Mekong, a short-term devnet supporting Devcon hackathons. Built on Devnet 4 specifications, Mekong provides a focused environment for wallet developers and stakers to experiment with upcoming changes.
“Mekong is meant to be a playground for wallet developers to experiment with UX changes,” according to an official announcement.
Core Functionality Updates
The discussion also covered proposed updates affecting core functionality through EIPs 7002 and 7521, aimed at improving user-friendliness by preventing accidental overpayments. These contracts are under audit, and developers were encouraged to review them asynchronously after Devcon.
Testing Streamlining Initiatives
Developers explored methods to streamline testing by isolating specific parts of the fork, particularly EOF and PeerDAS, for independent activation. Nethermind’s “chainspec” configuration supports fine-grained control for EIP activation, though some teams prefer Geth's simpler model due to complexity concerns.
A consensus on a universal approach remains unachieved, with potential risks highlighted regarding unpredictable interactions if not managed properly.
Data Management Solutions
Another significant topic was Ethereum’s increasing data footprint. EIP-7801, or Sharded Blocks Protocol, was proposed to reduce nodes’ storage requirements until Portal is fully integrated. Some teams advocate for a universal standard for history retention, while others support client-specific solutions.
EIP-7610 aims to resolve edge cases in contract deployment. Challenges in implementation have led to exploration of an alternative design, with a new proposal expected soon.
Conclusion
Devcon offers a unique opportunity for core developers to collaborate on unresolved issues. Ethereum developers are actively working on infrastructure optimization to meet scaling demands amid narratives suggesting the network is lagging behind competitors.