Ethereum's Hoodi Testnet Launch for Pectra Upgrade

On March 17, Ethereum is launching the Hoodi testnet to tackle the issues encountered in the Pectra testing phase on the Holesky and Sepolia testnets.

This strategic move comes as developers are actively working to resolve bugs that may impact the timeline for the Sepolia fork.

What is the Hoodi Testnet?

The Hoodi testnet is part of Ethereum's ongoing effort to refine the Pectra upgrade, which includes important Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) designed to boost staking mechanisms and enhance the wallet user experience.

Before implementing any changes to the mainnet, Ethereum performs rigorous testing across various testnets. These tests play a crucial role in ensuring smooth upgrades и launches, emphasizing the importance of methodical testing strategies.

Recently, the Sepolia testnet upgraded to Pectra, reaching a significant checkpoint in the Ethereum development timeline. Furthermore, Ethereum introduced the Mekong testnet in early November to preview Pectra fork enhancements, enabling developers to assess its new features ahead of a wider rollout.

However, in a post dated February 25, Christine Kim, a researcher at Galaxy, pointed out the challenges faced during the Ethereum Pectra Upgrade testing.

“Pectra is live on Holesky… We are observing a slight uptick in missed blocks, while the network participation rate appears strong. Nevertheless, several client teams report issues with invalid blocks in the Eth R&D discord, leading to missed blocks and network failure to finalize. Developers are troubleshooting these issues, and depending on the severity of the bugs, the Sepolia fork could be delayed. Currently, the participation rate has dropped to around 50%,” Kim explained.

To verify if these issues have been resolved, Ethereum is set to launch the Hoodi testnet on March 17. If the testing produces favorable outcomes, the Pectra upgrade could be activated on Ethereum’s mainnet by late April. However, Tim Beiko, an influential Ethereum developer, indicated that delays into May are still a possibility.

“The new testnet, Hoodi, will go live on Monday to finalize Pectra testing. If you need to test validator exits, keep an eye out for it! Other aspects can be tested on Sepolia and Holesky. The Pectra implementation is tentatively scheduled to occur 30 or more days after Hoodi successfully forks, depending on preparations and client testing. The Fusaka planning will proceed in tandem, with a proposed EIPs submission deadline of March 24 and a tentative scope freeze date of April 10,” Beiko noted.

This development indicates that the Ethereum Pectra Upgrade relies on successful outcomes from tests conducted on Hoodi, following preceding testnets. With the Hoodi testnet launching on March 17 and the Pectra update poised for at least a 30-day countdown post-launch, the upgrade could potentially be live as early as April 17 or later. Some users have expressed their discontent regarding this timeline.

“Pectra's rollout is delayed by a month. Core developers seem unable to meet deadlines,” one user remarked.

In contrast, others appeared less surprised by the schedule, understanding the meticulous nature of ensuring seamless mainnet launches. The Hoodi testnet's impending launch next week signifies a pivotal step toward guaranteeing the Pectra upgrade's stability and effectiveness.

With scrutiny from developers heightening and improvements in staking and user experiences on the horizon, Ethereum's roadmap centers on enhancing long-term scalability and security for its network.

“I’m excited that this could make ETH even sharper and more efficient,” a user commented on X.

Looking ahead, the next significant upgrade, Fusaka, is slated for 2026. While specifics are still limited, Fusaka is expected to further enhance Ethereum’s scalability and efficiency, propelling the network's evolution toward greater usability and adoption.