Ethereum to Launch Hooli Testnet for Final Pectra Upgrade Testing

Ethereum developers are launching the Hooli testnet on Monday to conduct a final trial of the Pectra upgrade before its mainnet deployment. The decision follows two failed tests on Ethereum’s existing test networks, Sepolia and Holesky, where configuration errors disrupted testing.

According to Tim Beiko from the Ethereum Foundation, Hooli will undergo the Pectra upgrade on March 26, assessing its performance and stability. If successful, the upgrade could go live on Ethereum’s mainnet in late April or early May, pending further testing.

Pectra introduces key enhancements to Ethereum’s efficiency, speed, and usability. A notable feature enables smart contract functionality for wallets, allowing users to pay transaction fees in tokens other than ETH. The update is expected to enhance user experience and improve developer flexibility.

Testnets like Hooli, Sepolia, and Holesky replicate Ethereum’s main network but operate without real monetary value. These environments are essential for detecting issues before major upgrades. Despite earlier challenges, both Sepolia and Holesky are now running Pectra successfully. Beiko emphasized that Hooli is specifically for validator exit testing, while other tests can continue on Sepolia and Holesky.

The Pectra upgrade comes at a crucial time for Ethereum, as the network faces declining ETH prices, leadership shifts at the Ethereum Foundation, and increased competition from blockchains like Solana. Industry experts believe a successful Pectra launch is vital to reinforcing Ethereum’s market dominance and restoring confidence in its technical roadmap.

With the Hooli testnet set to go live, the Ethereum community eagerly awaits the final verdict on Pectra before its long-anticipated mainnet release.