- Ethereum successfully tested the Pectra upgrade on the Hoodi testnet, paving the way for a potential mainnet launch on April 25.
- Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade will introduce smart contract wallets, flexible gas fees, and increased staking limits, improving usability and scalability.
Ethereum developers have successfully tested the highly anticipated Pectra upgrade on the Hoodi testnet, setting the stage for a potential mainnet release on April 25. This milestone comes after two failed testnet attempts on Holesky and Sepolia, making Hoodi a critical step in ensuring a smooth transition for Ethereum’s next big upgrade.
Ethereum Hoodi Testnet: A Crucial Step for Pectra’s Future
The Hoodi testnet runs parallel to Ethereum’s main network, allowing developers to detect and fix bugs before Pectra’s final deployment. One of the biggest improvements in Pectra is its ability to support smart contracts directly on wallets and allow users to pay gas fees with other tokens—a long-awaited feature that enhances Ethereum’s usability.
If the Hoodi test proves stable, Ethereum whales are expected to accumulate ETH, betting on a bullish impact from the upgrade. However, core developers must first agree on the final changes before the mainnet rollout.
Market Reactions: Will Ethereum Hit $5K?
Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, has already predicted a $5,000 Ethereum price, expecting it to outperform competitors like Solana. Meanwhile, Nick Johnson, founder of Ethereum Name Service, emphasized that delays in mainnet launches are necessary for ensuring success, highlighting the Ethereum team’s commitment to quality over speed.
Key Features of the Pectra Upgrade
The Pectra upgrade isn’t just another routine update—it brings game-changing improvements to the Ethereum network:
✅ Smart Contract Wallets – Wallets will function as smart contracts, enabling batch processing and passkey authentication.
✅ Flexible Gas Fees – Users can pay gas fees in tokens other than ETH.
✅ Expanded Staking Limits – The staking cap will increase from 32 ETH to 2,048 ETH, attracting more institutional participation.
✅ Lower Fees & Enhanced Privacy – The block size will double, reducing congestion, while increased call data costs will encourage the use of blobs, a more efficient data storage method.
The Road to April 25
The Hoodi testnet was developed after Sepolia’s failure due to an unidentified attack that led to empty block mining. Now, with Hoodi performing well, Ethereum is inching closer to its most transformative upgrade yet.
If the Pectra upgrade proceeds as planned, Ethereum could see a major price breakout and enhanced network efficiency, making it even more competitive in the crypto space. Will ETH break the $5K mark? The countdown to April 25 has officially begun!
