Ethereum just made a big move. The Sepolia testnet successfully upgraded to Pectra, marking another step forward in improving the network. This upgrade combines two planned updates—Prague and Electra—into one, making Ethereum more efficient, scalable, and user-friendly.
Key Changes in the Pectra Upgrade
Ethereum community member Terrence shared the update, confirming the smooth transition. So, what’s changing?
🔹 More Flexibility in Paying Fees (EIP-7702) – Users no longer have to pay gas fees only in ETH. Now, they can use assets like USDC, making transactions easier.
🔹 Higher Staking Limits (EIP-7251) – The max stake per validator jumped from 32 ETH to 2048 ETH. This makes staking simpler for large holders, but some worry it could reduce decentralization by favoring wealthier participants.
🔹 Lower Fees & Faster Transactions (EIP-7691 & EIP-7623) – These upgrades help Layer-2 solutions work more efficiently, cutting down transaction costs and making Ethereum faster.
🔹 Better Infrastructure & Security – New improvements, like PeerDAS and Verkle Trees, will help Ethereum handle more users and scale better over time.
Another useful change? Validators can now automatically reinvest staking rewards, letting them earn more over time without manual effort.
Are There Any Issues?
While the upgrade is mostly smooth, some problems popped up. Ethereum developer Tim Beiko mentioned a glitch with a custom deposit contract that’s causing delays in processing transactions.
“We’re looking into it,” Beiko said, noting that some validators are struggling to include transactions in blocks. The team is already working on a fix.
What’s Next?
The Pectra rollout is happening in two phases, with the second part expected in 2026. Before Sepolia, Ethereum developers tested it on the Mekong testnet last year to catch any issues early.
The next big step? Pectra will launch on the Goerli testnet in April. If all goes well, the full upgrade on Ethereum’s main network should follow soon after.
Ethereum’s Price Reaction
The market is responding well. Ethereum’s price is now $2,217, up nearly 6% since Wednesday, according to BeInCrypto.
With the upgrade moving forward, all eyes are now on Goerli’s testnet launch in April.
