Ethereum developers are making preparations to introduce the upcoming hard fork named Electra, which will primarily focus on enhancing the consensus layer. The rollout of Electra, expected in the upcoming weeks, brings significant changes to Ethereum’s protocol.
Key Highlights of the Ethereum Electra Upgrade: During the recent bi-weekly All Core Developers Consensus (ACDC) meeting led by Ethereum Foundation Researcher Alex Stokes, discussions revolved around Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) and the Electra upgrade. Developers have been actively involved in implementing four initial EIPs for the Electra hardfork.
According to the outlined plans, the Electra specification, based on these four EIPs, is slated for launch on the testnet by the end of April. Notable among these proposals is EIP 6110, aimed at facilitating validator deposits on-chain to enhance Ethereum’s security and stability.
Another significant proposal, EIP 7002, introduces triggerable exits to the execution layer (EL), with developer Mikhail Kalinin exploring potential adjustments to ensure compatibility with Engine API changes.
Additionally, EIP 7251 proposes increasing the maximum effective balance (maxEB) of validators to 2048 ETH, prompting discussions regarding custom withdrawal ceilings and the consolidation of validators.
While Ethereum developers are yet to provide official answers to these questions, further deliberations are expected in dedicated breakout meetings.
Furthermore, speculation surrounds the simultaneous implementation of EIP 7002 and 7251 in the Electra upgrade, potentially leading to complexities. Efforts are underway to address these challenges and ensure a smooth integration of the proposed improvements.
Beyond the Electra hardfork, Ethereum has recently welcomed other enhancements, including the Dencun Upgrade, which aims to reduce gas fees on Layer-2 protocols. Additionally, the introduction of the COTI Network’s V2 whitepaper focuses on enhancing confidentiality within the Ethereum network.
Overall, the Electra hardfork and accompanying upgrades underscore Ethereum’s ongoing commitment to enhancing performance, security, and usability, ensuring its continued evolution as a leading blockchain platform.