Ethereum Pectra Upgrade Faces Issues on Sepolia Testnet

The Ethereum network’s Pectra upgrade faced problems when it was launched on the Sepolia testnet. According to Lead developers, the issue came from using a custom deposit contract on Sepolia, which disrupted the network’s ability to process transactions. 

Ethereum Developers will Ensure Pectra Upgrade Runs Smoothly

Tim Beiko, the Ethereum Foundation (EF) protocol support lead, acknowledged the problem in a post on X and mentioned that the team is working to find out what caused it. Meanwhile, the Ethereum Pectra upgrade aims to make the blockchain faster and more efficient. The Sepolia testnet helps developers identify problems without disrupting live transactions or affecting users.

However, upon deployment on Sepolia, the Ethereum team experienced difficulties because their clients had trouble including transactions in the blocks. As the investigation is ongoing, the team is working hard to ensure that the upgrade’s final version runs smoothly and efficiently when released on the mainnet. 

What is the Ethereum Pectra Upgrade?

The Ethereum Pectra upgrade follows the successful launch of the Dencun upgrade. It merges two key enhancements: the Prague upgrade at the execution layer and the Electra upgrade at the consensus layer.

This update enhances user experience by integrating smart contract capabilities into standard wallets through Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) 3074. It is designed to simplify transactions for improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness. In addition, Pectra is set to tackle validator challenges by raising the maximum stake cap from 32 Ethereum to 2,048 Ethereum, simplifying staking for larger entities.

Furthermore, the upgrade will introduce various EIPs to enhance network efficiency, security, and transaction management. This highly anticipated upgrade will position Ethereum for ongoing innovation and expansion in the blockchain realm.

Ethereum Supply Jumped Ahead of Pectra Upgrade

Recall that Ethereum’s total token supply increased last month to levels not seen before the Merge upgrade in 2022. As reported by TheCoinRise in February, the total supply of Ether was 120,521,523 ETH, an increase of 383 ETH since the Merge. 

Notably, the Merge marked an essential change for Ethereum from a Proof of Work (PoW) system to a more energy-efficient Proof of Stake (PoS) system. One main goal of the Merge was to lower Ethereum’s inflation rate.