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- Holešky testnet retires after validator issues post-Pectra upgrade.
- Hoodi will handle validator testing; Sepolia supports dApp and smart contract development.
- Ethereum ecosystem growth continues with Best Wallet presale surpassing $16.6M.
The Ethereum Foundation has officially started winding down Holešky, a major public testnet launched in 2023 to trial protocol upgrades and validator operations. The move follows the successful completion of the Fusaka upgrade, which introduced PeerDAS, a feature designed to reduce validator bandwidth and improve layer-2 network scalability.
Holešky’s Role and Challenges
Holešky played a pivotal role in Ethereum’s upgrade roadmap, most recently supporting the Pectra upgrade in May 2025. Despite its success, the testnet began showing validator inactivity leaks and long exit queues, prompting the foundation to phase it out. According to the Ethereum Foundation, these issues could hinder efficient testing for upcoming network upgrades.
Transition to Hoodi and Sepolia
To address Holešky’s limitations, Ethereum developers are shifting projects to new testnets. Hoodi will serve validator testing with a fresh validator set while fully supporting Pectra functionalities. Meanwhile, developers working on dApps and smart contracts are encouraged to use Sepolia, which offers a stable environment for application-level testing.
Holešky degradation will begin this week. The network has served its purpose for Fusaka testing and operators will start shutting down their nodes at various points over the next 10 days.
— Ethereum Foundation (@ethereumfndn) October 20, 2025
Please refer to this post for further details. https://t.co/o4faEhPyuV
The Ethereum Foundation also highlighted Ephemery, a light validator simulation network that resets every 28 days, as part of the future testing ecosystem. Together, these platforms aim to streamline Ethereum development and reduce bottlenecks observed in Holešky.
Also Read: Polygon vs Ethereum: Nailwal Questions Loyalty Amid Recognition Debate
Market Response and Ecosystem Growth
The market reacted modestly to the upgrade news. Ethereum (ETH) fell 0.6% to $3,894, while Bitcoin (BTC) rose 1.7% intraday to $108,720. In parallel, the Ethereum ecosystem continues to expand with projects like Best Wallet, whose presale has surpassed $16.6 million. The multi-chain wallet offers institutional-grade security, non-custodial control, and attractive staking rewards, signaling robust growth in Ethereum-focused infrastructure.
As Ethereum refines its testnet landscape, the focus will rest on Sepolia for development, Hoodi for validator testing, and Ephemery for light validator simulations. These moves mark a critical step in ensuring Ethereum’s network upgrades remain scalable and reliable while supporting the broader developer community.
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.
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