Ethereum developers have scheduled the Pectra hardfork for March 2025

The upgrade brings with it several important network improvements, including an increase in the staking limit for a single validator

17.01.2025 - 14:05

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What’s new? Ethereum blockchain developers are planning to launch the Pectra upgrade in March 2025. New clients for the Sepolia and Holesky testnet hardforks are expected by February in coordination with the client software development teams. If the testnet hardfork goes as planned, the mainnet launch will begin next month.

Recording of the developer meeting

What else is known? The upgrade was originally scheduled for late 2024, but its scope has expanded significantly, resulting in a delay.

The Pectra upgrade will include several Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) aimed at improving network efficiency and usability.

Changes include improving user interaction with crypto wallets and introducing account abstraction, which will allow wallets to be used as smart contracts.

There are also plans to increase the maximum staking limit per validator from 32 to 2048 ETH, as well as updates to escrow and withdrawal mechanisms.

Vitalik Buterin proposes lowering the blocking threshold for Ethereum validators from 32 to 1 ETH

Earlier, the developer stated the importance of solo staking to maintain the decentralization of the blockchain

In preparation for the upgrade, the team has been creating devnets (development networks) to test individual components of the upgrade. In November 2024, the developers launched a temporary Mekong testnet to test key Pectra updates.

A day earlier, over 30% of validators expressed support for increasing the gas limit per block from 30 million to 40 million units. Once the initiative is supported by over 50% of validators, the figure will be automatically raised without the need for a hardfork.

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