Ethereum developers recently made the decision to take a multi-phase approach in implementing the highly anticipated ‘Pectra’ upgrade during the latest Consensus Layer Meeting on Sept. 19. This decision was made in response to growing concerns about the complexity of delivering the upgrade in one release, which increased the risk of technical issues and bugs. The phased approach will ensure a smoother rollout and lessen the chances of encountering bugs or disruptions in the network’s daily operations.
Initially set to be Ethereum’s most ambitious hard fork, Pectra will now focus on delivering key improvements in the first phase while allowing developers more time to implement additional features in the second. The first phase of the Pectra upgrade, set to launch in early 2025, will include eight Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs). Among these is EIP-7702, which aims to improve the user experience for digital wallets. Other key changes will focus on enhancing Ethereum’s network efficiency and user interface, allowing for a more targeted implementation. This narrower scope ensures the initial phase remains manageable and minimizes potential delays.
The second phase, currently under development, will introduce more ambitious upgrades to Ethereum’s infrastructure. It may include updates to the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and the introduction of PeerDAS, a feature designed to improve data availability sampling. PeerDAS is expected to play a vital role in supporting Layer-2 blockchains, which rely on Ethereum for increased scalability and functionality. As developers continue to refine the scope of the second phase, the phased approach will allow them to focus on delivering the most critical changes first while ensuring more complex updates receive the necessary attention and testing.
By splitting up the implementation of Pectra into multiple phases, Ethereum developers aim to maintain the platform’s pace of innovation without compromising network stability. This approach will help ensure that key improvements are delivered in a timely manner while allowing for more complex upgrades to be properly tested and implemented. The decision to take a phased approach to the Pectra upgrade demonstrates Ethereum developers’ commitment to ensuring the long-term success and scalability of the network. As development continues, the Ethereum community can look forward to a more efficient and user-friendly platform that meets the evolving needs of its users.
