Ethereum core devs agree to split ‘Pectra’ upgrade into multi-phase rollout

Ethereum developers agreed to take a multi-phase approach in implementing the highly anticipated ‘Pectra’ upgrade during the latest Consensus Layer Meeting on Sept. 19.

The decision comes after 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.

Phase 1

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.

Developers have carefully selected these improvements to address critical areas of the Ethereum ecosystem while leaving room for further advancements in the second phase.

Phase 2

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.

Splitting up the implementation of Pectra is expected to help maintain Ethereum’s pace of innovation without compromising network stability.