Today at 9:55 PM UTC, Ethereum activates the Pectra upgrade on the Holesky testnet, reinforcing blockchain development and paving the way for future improvements.
Pectra Upgrade Launch
The Ethereum Foundation announced the activation of Pectra on Holesky, with a subsequent rollout on the Sepolia testnet scheduled for March 5. A mainnet deployment date will be confirmed following successful testnet trials.
Key Changes in Pectra
Pectra's update includes efficiency and security enhancements for Ethereum. A key change is the advancement in account abstraction, enabling batch transactions and sponsored gas payments. Validator maximum balance increases to 2,048 ETH, and the blob transaction capacity expands from three to six blobs per block.
Previous Upgrades History
Prior to Pectra, the Dencun upgrade launched in March 2024 brought significant transaction cost reductions to the network. Additionally, in November 2024, Ethereum launched a short-term Mekong testnet in preparation for upcoming changes.
The Pectra upgrade strengthens Ethereum's position as a leading blockchain network, offering improvements in scalability and accessibility, crucial for future growth and adaptation.
