Following two problematic tests of Ethereum’s forthcoming Pectra upgrade, the core developers of the network decided on Thursday to establish a new testnet to showcase the code update one final time before its release.
“A new testnet, Hooli, is set to launch on Monday to conclude Pectra testing,” stated Tim Beiko, who supervises the core developers at the Ethereum Foundation, in a post on social media after a developer call on Thursday. Pectra is scheduled to be tested on Hooli on Wednesday, March 26 — when the test chain will be upgraded to the new Ethereum version and assessed for performance and stability.
Pectra encompasses various code modifications aimed at enhancing Ethereum’s speed, efficiency, and user-friendliness for both users and developers. One of the most notable improvements introduces “smart contract” capabilities to addresses, enabling user wallets to be customized with new functionalities, such as the ability to pay transaction fees using currencies other than ETH.
If the Hooli test is successful, Beiko mentioned that developers will roll out the upgrade approximately 30 days later, pending further evaluations. If all goes according to plan, Ethereum users can anticipate Pectra to be integrated into the main network by late April or early May.
The Hooli testnet was developed in response to issues encountered with Pectra tests on Sepolia and Holesky, Ethereum’s primary test networks. In both cases, configuration errors hindered proper testing of the Pectra upgrade. Specifically, Holesky faced multiple weeks of downtime due to these testing complications.
Test networks like Holesky, Sepolia, and Hooli operate in a manner similar to the main Ethereum network but are typically free to use and not designed to handle real value. Significant upgrades such as Pectra are generally trialed on Ethereum’s test networks before full deployment on the mainnet, as disruptions within the actual Ethereum network could be quite costly.
Beiko clarified that Sepolia and Holesky — which are currently running Pectra effectively — serve distinct testing functions. “If you need to test validator exits, keep an eye on Hooli! Everything else can be tested on Sepolia and Holesky,” Beiko noted in his Thursday update.
The technical challenges surrounding Pectra emerge during a difficult phase for Ethereum. The network has faced increasing pressure due to falling ETH prices, leadership changes at the Ethereum Foundation, and rising skepticism about its ability to maintain market leadership amidst competition from newer blockchains like Solana. Industry stakeholders see the successful implementation of Pectra as vital for restoring confidence in Ethereum’s technical trajectory.