Ethereum’s Pectra Upgrade Testing Scheduled for February 26
Ethereum developers have scheduled tests for the Pectra upgrade, their first in 11 months, with a potential mainnet release in April. Key details include:
- Testing will begin on Feb. 26 on the Holesky testnet and continue on Mar. 5 on the Sepolia testnet.
- If tests are successful, a meeting is set for Mar. 6 to determine the official launch date.
Pectra combines two upgrades, Prague and Electra, featuring eight major improvements. Notable enhancements include:
- EIP-7702 aims to improve user experience in crypto wallets through account abstraction, allowing gas fees to be paid in various currencies.
- EIP-7251 will increase the staking limit for validators from 32 to 2,048 ETH, streamlining node operations and reducing setup time.
The Ethereum network faces challenges with its native token underperforming compared to competitors like Solana. The Pectra upgrade is seen as essential for strengthening the network amid leadership changes within the Ethereum Foundation.