Ethereum's Pectra Upgrade Set for April 30 Mainnet Launch
2min read Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade is scheduled to go live on the mainnet on April 30, following a successful deployment on the Hoodi testnet. This decision was confirmed during the All Core Developers Execution (ACDE) call on March 27, with tim Beiko of the Ethereum Foundation specifying that the upgrade will be activated at slot 11,599,872, around 14:14:47 UTC. Beiko emphasized that infrastructure and application teams would be notified in advance to address any potential concerns, and the upgrade coordination will follow a structured process modeled after Fredrik’s fork coordination method. The timeline is still subject to final approval, with confirmation expected during the next ACDC meeting.
The Pectra upgrade integrates improvements from two earlier proposals, Prague and Electra, aiming to deliver a more streamlined and efficient Ethereum experience. These enhancements are designed to optimize user interactions and developer workflows across the network. The decision to proceed with the April launch comes just a day after Pectra achieved full finalization on the Hoodi testnet, marking a significant milestone for the upgrade. This success is particularly notable given earlier delays on other testnets like Holesky and Sepolia.
On March 26, Ethereum client Nethermind confirmed that Pectra had finalized on Hoodi with all upgrade features in place. The successful deployment on Hoodi is a key step toward bringing the upgrade to Ethereum’s mainnet. Hoodi was introduced as a replacement for Holesky, which faced persistent issues that delayed Pectra’s rollout. Holesky suffered from execution client bugs due to incorrect deposit contract addresses, causing chain splits and network instability. Sepolia, another Ethereum testnet, also experienced brief problems with custom deposit contracts disrupting execution clients and affecting block transactions. While the issues on Sepolia were resolved, Holesky continued to struggle, leading developers to replace it with Hoodi, which has performed reliably since its launch. Due to the recurring problems, the Ethereum Foundation has confirmed that support for Holesky will end by September 2025.
The Pectra upgrade introduces several key updates, including improved crypto wallet experiences, account abstraction (EIP-7702), increasing validator stakes (EIP-7251), and rollup scalability (EIP-7691). These enhancements are designed to make smart contracts on wallets more efficient and allow gas fee payments in various tokens, potentially revolutionizing the way transactions are handled on the Ethereum network. Following the successful test on Hoodi, Ethereum core developers have agreed to activate Pectra on the Ethereum mainnet at least 30 days after the successful fork. This sets the timeline for the mainnet upgrade to late April. However, there is a possibility that the launch could be delayed until May or June, depending on further testing and validation.
Ask Aime: What impact will the Pectra upgrade have on Ethereum's mainnet?
The successful deployment of the Pectra upgrade on the Hoodi testnet is a testament to the resilience and innovation of the Ethereum development community. Despite previous setbacks, the team has demonstrated their ability to adapt and overcome challenges, ensuring that the network continues to evolve and improve. The upcoming mainnet upgrade is eagerly anticipated by the Ethereum community, as it promises to bring significant enhancements to the network's functionality and user experience. 
