• Geth v1.15.2 urgent update.

• Blockscout unveils OP Interop Explorer.

• Aztec announces cross-chain bridge grants.

• Stablecoin TVL hits $123b.

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Node operators using Geth v1.15.1 are urgently advised to upgrade to v1.15.2 to prevent potential financial losses due to a regression that disrupts block creation. The latest release ensures that block building on mainnet is operational and resolves previously affected peer discovery and configuration settings. The release also tackles a previously overlooked issue in the consensus engine. The update follows closely on the heels of an emergency patch released two weeks ago, which addressed a critical vulnerability in v1.14.0. Geth is the oldest and most popular Ethereum execution layer client used by approximately 42% of Ethereum validators.

Blockscout introduced the OP Interop Explorer, a new block explorer designed for indexing and monitoring cross-chain transactions and message transfers across Optimism’s Superchain. The interop explorer provides a consolidated view of the source and destination transactions, sender, and target address. It features details about relays, message status, facilitates automatic verification and supports cross-chain message searches. The explorer allows applications to access state data with minimal latency and removes the need for users to switch between different block explorers to track a cross-chain transfer. The OP Interop Explorer is currently in an alpha release.

Aztec Network is seeking request for proposals for the development of cross-chain bridge applications that extend Aztec’s privacy and decentralization features across Layer 2 networks. Applicants must present a cross-chain bridge application, elaborating on its design, technical challenges, and how it upholds privacy and interoperability standards. Proposals are due by March 16, 2025, with grant recipients announced by April 1, 2025. Aztec Network is a privacy-centric Layer 2 platform, currently live on devnet. The network facilitates private, client-side smart contract execution while ensuring public verifiability.

• 2025 Academic Grants Round

• Stablecoin TVL hits $123b

• AltLayer releases Autonome whitepaper

• ETHDublin speaker application

• EIP-7732 finalizing on devnet

• 500 ETH sent to burn address

• Abstract achieves 1m Global Wallets

• Bulloak contract testing tool

• Linea sybil appeals update

• Origin introduces Pool Booster

• Javier Milei charged with fraud

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• Pectra-ready client releases for testnet.

• Vitalik's blog on a higher L1 gas limit.

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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 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.

• Pectra information page

• Balancer V3 deploys on Base

• Yuga sells Meebits IP

• Grayscale seeks staking approval

• EIP-7732 ePBS #17 notes

• L2 interop is coming

• SEC path to end Coinbase lawsuit

• Abstract releases creator features

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• OpenSea Foundation unveils $SEA.

• Scroll launches its Security Council.

• Paradigm releases Foundry v1.0.

• EF deploys 50,000 ETH into DeFi.

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The OpenSea Foundation confirmed the upcoming launch of its native NFT marketplace token, $SEA. The foundation emphasized that historical OpenSea usage will play a key role in the token’s distribution. It also assured that the claims process would be simple and U.S. users would be eligible. However, no launch timeline has been provided. OpenSea v2 (OS2), a fully redesigned version of the NFT marketplace that introduces XP rewards for users, is also now live in open beta. OS2 integrates NFTs and ERC-20 tokens in one place, supports 14 chains, enables native cross-chain purchasing, and enforces a 0.5% marketplace fee. Users can now earn XP for making listings, placing collection offers, and maintaining loyalty to OpenSea.

Scroll, an EVM-equivalent ZK Rollup, established the Scroll Security Council, a 12-member governance body tasked with overseeing protocol upgrades, emergency responses, and governance oversight to enhance the security of the Scroll network. The council has the authority to bypass Scroll governance for urgent upgrades. Approval from a 9-of-12 multisig is required to execute changes. Members serve in staggered bi-annual elections, divided into two six-member cohorts. The current council includes representatives from L2BEAT, OpenZeppelin, the Ethereum Foundation, Zellic, Gauntlet, Rotki, Powdr, and Shield3. The launch aligns with Scroll’s goal of achieving Stage-1 rollup decentralization, which requires the presence of a security council.

Paradigm released Foundry v1.0, a major update to its Ethereum development toolkit, bringing faster compilation, improved testing, enhanced debugging, greater stability, and support for upcoming Pectra and Fusaka EIPs. The release introduces new cheat codes for gas snapshots, wallet utilities, code deployment, and symbolic execution, enabling a more developer-friendly experience. The release also includes faster feedback loops and better test coverage. Foundry is designed to provide quick and efficient smart contract development, testing, and deployment. Developers can now upgrade to Foundry v1.0 or refer to the migration guide for details on breaking changes.

The Ethereum Foundation finalized its initial deployment of 50,000 ETH into DeFi as part of its commitment to having a more active role in the Ethereum ecosystem. The allocation includes 10,000 ETH in Spark Protocol, 30,800 ETH in Aave, and 4,200 ETH in Compound Finance. The Foundation’s 3-of-5 Safe wallet now holds approximately $133 million in assets.

• ACDE #205 summary

• Pectra client releases for testnets

• Nethermind releases v1.31.0 

• dDocs releases Comments v0.2

• ZKLend suffers $9.5m exploit

• Union Fintech launches ZK Stack chain

• Ephemery testnet activates Pectra

• OnchainKit introduces Earn

• Coinbase $6.6b in Q4 earnings

• Doodles introduces $DOOD

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