Ethereum Developers Share Plans for 2024
Date: 2024-01-07 Author: Dima Zakharov Categories: BLOCKCHAIN
Ethereum Testnet Upgrade Schedule
The eagerly awaited upgrade of the Ethereum testnets has been officially finalized, as the Dencun upgrade is set to roll out on Goerli, Sepolia, and Holesky testnets in the near future.
Developers will consecutively update three test networks. Goerli's upgrade is scheduled for January 17th at 06:32 UTC, followed by Sepolia on January 30th at 22:51 UTC, and Holesky on February 7th at 11:34 UTC. These dates, confirmed during Execution Layer Meeting 178, underline the collective commitment to enhancing Ethereum's infrastructure.
Flexibility and Responsiveness of Ethereum
The Ethereum updates demonstrate flexibility and the ability to respond quickly to community feedback and technical challenges. Such an approach is vital for the long-term success of the platform, ensuring it remains a leader in the blockchain space.
Ethereum Community Divided on Network Development Priorities
The next upgrade, tentatively named Prague/Electra (Pectra), has sparked intense discussions within the Ethereum community, particularly regarding the prioritization of Verkle proofs.
Merkle and Verkle trees are data structures used in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. They organize vast amounts of data and create a concise "proof" for each data element or group of related elements, which can be verified by someone with access to the tree's root. Verkle trees enable smaller proof sizes, which is crucial for upcoming Ethereum updates.
While some factions advocate making Verkle proofs the sole focus, others propose simultaneously developing Verkle proofs alongside smaller functional forks.
Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum, noted that such disagreements highlight the dynamic and reliable nature of the network development process. The community's dedication to debate and consensus-building showcases its maturity.
