Quick Take
Pectra-ready client releases for testnet.
Vitalik's blog on a higher L1 gas limit.
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Pectra Client Releases For Testnet
The Pectra network upgrade is scheduled to go live on the Holesky testnet on February 24 at 21:55 UTC, followed by the Sepolia testnet on March 5 at 7:29 UTC. Client teams have released updated versions of their software with support for Pectra. Node operators on testnet must update their client software before the activation. The upgrade introduces 11 EIPs, including Account Abstraction EIP-7702, which transitions EOAs into smart accounts with capabilities like transaction batching, gas sponsorship, and recovery options. EIP-7251 increases the maximum balance validators can earn rewards on, EIP-7002 introduces execution layer-triggerable withdrawals, and EIP-6110 removes the delay between validator deposits and processing. Pectra will increase Ethereum's blob capacity by 50%, boosting data throughput for Layer 2 scaling solutions. Other EIPs enhance the protocol's efficiency, including precompiles, state modifications, and execution layer requests. Updates to the Engine API will improve node communication. The activation of Pectra on mainnet is anticipated for April 2025.
Vitalik On Higher L1 Gas Limit
Vitalik Buterin published a blog post discussing the benefits of a higher L1 gas limit following the Ethereum network’s recent increase to a 36 million gas block limit. Vitalik argues that expanding L1 capacity supports economical cross-chain transfers, ensures affordable mass exits to L1, and reduces the cost of L1 operations. He also highlighted the importance of enabling frequent and economically viable proof submissions to L1. While increasing the gas limit offers several advantages, Vitalik cautions that it is easy to increase but difficult to decrease without potential centralization risks. He advocates for a balanced approach for the long-term scaling of the L1.
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