Ethereum developers are preparing to introduce the next upgrade to the network, Pectra, in March 2025.
This timeline was discussed at the latest execution layer meeting on January 16th, which outlined key milestones leading to mainnet activation.
According to the developer, preparations will begin with finalizing the block numbers for the Sepolia and Holesky forks and are expected to be completed by January 23rd or 30th.
An updated client version will then be released on February 3rd. The Sepolia fork is scheduled for February 12th and the Holesky fork is scheduled for February 19th.
These forks employ shadow testing to simulate mainnet conditions to ensure realistic and efficient testing. This approach avoids creating additional developer networks and reduces complexity while thoroughly vetting upgrades.
Christine Kim, a researcher at Galaxy Digital, acknowledges that schedules remain flexible. He noted that while optimism is growing for March activation, unforeseen issues during testing could cause delays.
Kim warned about X:
“the above [date] Here is a tentative and optimistic timeline for pectra activation on testnet and mainnet. If bugs or issues are found in the code during testing, the schedule may be delayed. ”
pectra upgrade
The Pectra upgrade is said to be Ethereum's most ambitious hard fork and was initially split into two phases.
The first phase promises several enhancements to improve the efficiency and ease of use of Ethereum. Some of its highlights include updates to account abstraction, validator staking processes, and deposit and withdrawal mechanisms.
Meanwhile, the second version of Pectra is expected to introduce more innovative changes. A release date for Pectra 2 has not been determined, but it is likely to include advancements such as upgrading the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and implementing PeerDAS technology.
Together, these features are designed to simplify user interaction while strengthening the network's operational framework.