Ethereum core developers have announced the launch of a third testnet, Hoodi, to ensure a smoother rollout of the highly anticipated Pectra upgrade. Initially scheduled for late April, Pectra’s launch on Ethereum mainnet has now been delayed after earlier testnets, Holesky and Sepolia, encountered multiple technical issues.
Hoodi Testnet to Launch in March
Ethereum Foundation developer Tim Beiko confirmed that the Hoodi testnet will go live on March 17, with Pectra being activated on the network on March 26. The decision comes after developers discovered critical bugs, including synchronization failures and empty block mining on Sepolia. If Hoodi runs without major setbacks, Ethereum developers could finalize a mainnet launch date within 30 days of its activation, potentially setting an April 25 release for Pectra.
Pectra Upgrade: What to Expect
Pectra, a combination of the Prague and Electra proposals, will introduce over ten Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) aimed at enhancing Ethereum wallets and overall user experience. A key feature of the upgrade includes an increase in blob count from three to six, significantly improving data availability and scalability.
Originally set for a late 2024 release, Pectra has faced repeated setbacks due to client readiness issues and synchronization bugs. Ethereum developers remain committed to resolving these concerns, with Beiko emphasizing that additional testing may continue on Holesky and Sepolia alongside Hoodi.
Mimicking Ethereum Mainnet for Robust Testing
Christine Kim, Vice President of Research at Galaxy Digital, highlighted that Hoodi will closely replicate Ethereum’s mainnet, featuring a validator set designed to reflect real-world network conditions. More than 20 million test-staked ETH will be distributed across 11 client teams and five staking operators to ensure comprehensive testing.
high-level summary of the decisions coming out of the latest eth dev call: pic.twitter.com/KhYYYJAVhU
— Christine Kim (@christine_dkim) March 13, 2025
Ethereum’s development community has also agreed to accelerate future protocol upgrades, following a consensus reached during the “All Core Devs” meeting on February 13. Venture capital firm Paradigm has urged Ethereum developers to streamline upgrade timelines to maintain the blockchain’s competitive edge in the layer-1 space.
Also Read: Ripple Lawsuit Twist: SEC Debates Whether XRP Deserves Ethereum’s Status
With Hoodi set to play a crucial role in refining Pectra, all eyes are on its March 17 launch to determine whether Ethereum’s next major upgrade can proceed without further delays.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
About The Author
