The forthcoming Pectra upgrade for Ethereum, expected to be one of the network’s most significant enhancements, may be divided into two distinct hard forks due to its intricate nature.
This information was shared by Tim Beiko, the protocol support lead at the Ethereum Foundation, on September 12.
Details of Ethereum’s Planned Pectra Upgrade
On September 13, Christine Kim, a researcher at Galaxy Digital, noted on X that this decision arises from the sheer number of updates projected for Pectra. The upgrade could encompass more than 20 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), with an additional six proposals still being evaluated.
Kim suggested that the initial segment of the upgrade might be launched as soon as February next year, with the second segment expected in the latter part of the year.
The first phase will include all components from devnet 3, featuring the highly anticipated EIP 7702, supported by Vitalik Buterin. This EIP is designed to allow Externally Owned Accounts (EOAs) to function as smart contract wallets, enhancing both security and user experience during transactions. Other upgrades in this phase comprise EIP 7251 and EIP 6110, focusing on enabling validator deposits on-chain.
The second phase will concentrate on introducing the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) Object Format (EOF) and PeerDAS. EOF will present an opt-in container system to optimize EVM code, representing a significant advancement for Ethereum.
PeerDAS, a solution for data availability sampling, utilizes Ethereum’s peer-to-peer infrastructure to enhance data distribution and scalability, thereby bolstering the network’s overall robustness.
Read more: Ethereum EIPs: What Are They? How Are They Implemented?
Kim emphasized that if Pectra 1 is delivered in early 2025 and Pectra 2 later that same year, developers might reconsider previously rejected EIPs for the first upgrade.
“This could lead to scope creep, which developers genuinely claim they are trying to avoid, but let’s be realistic. Given how discussions about Pectra have progressed, it’s not unlikely they will revisit some of these other EIPs later after Pectra 1,” she added.
Read more: How to Buy Ethereum (ETH) and Everything You Need to Know
In the meantime, developers are set to decide next Thursday during the All Core Devs call whether to divide Pectra into two separate upgrades. Kim indicates that the upgrade’s complexity and the wish to incorporate additional features make a split highly probable.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is dedicated to providing unbiased, transparent coverage. This news article aims to furnish accurate and timely information. However, readers are encouraged to independently verify facts and consult with a professional prior to making any decisions based on this material. Please be aware that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been revised.
