Research Summary
The report discusses the Ethereum All Core Developers Execution Call #182, where developers discussed updates on the Dencun upgrade, potential Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) for the Pectra upgrade, and the future of account abstraction. The call also touched on the deprecation of the Goerli test network and the retirement of Devnet 12.
Key Takeaways
Dencun Upgrade and Testnet Changes
- Dencun Upgrade: The Dencun upgrade is officially scheduled to activate on the Ethereum mainnet on March 13, 2024. Developers have been testing the final versions of client software on a mainnet shadow fork, with nodes remaining resilient through various “spam tests”.
- Goerli Testnet Deprecation: The Goerli test network will soon be deprecated, with operations expected to move to a different Ethereum testnet by April 17. Network participation rate on Goerli is already low, at around 70%.
Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) for Pectra
- Retroactive EIPs: Two retroactive EIPs were discussed for the Pectra upgrade. EIP 7610 extends a rule restricting smart contract creation to addresses with pre-existing storage, while EIP 7523 formalizes the rule banning empty accounts from the state of Ethereum and Ethereum testnets.
- Account Abstraction EIPs: Three main EIPs for account abstraction (AA) are being evaluated for inclusion in Pectra: EIP 3074, 5806, and 7377. These EIPs aim to introduce greater levels of programmability to externally owned accounts (EOAs).
Other EIPs for Pectra
- Additional EIPs: Other EIPs discussed for Pectra include EIP 7623 (increase calldata cost), EIP 2537 (precompile for BLS12-381 curve operations), EIP 5920 (PAY opcode), EIP 7609 (reduce transient storage pricing), and EIP 7639 (cease serving history before proof-of-stake).
Engine API & JSON RPC Changes
- Implementation Changes: Changes need to be made to the Ethereum Engine API and JSON RPC to expose data about early block confirmations, a feature that could be utilized by many applications built on Ethereum.
Actionable Insights
- Monitor Dencun Upgrade: Stakeholders should keep a close eye on the Dencun upgrade, scheduled to activate on the Ethereum mainnet on March 13, 2024. The upgrade’s performance could have significant implications for Ethereum’s future.
- Prepare for Goerli Testnet Deprecation: Those using the Goerli test network should prepare to move their operations to a different Ethereum testnet by April 17.
- Understand Implications of EIPs: Stakeholders should familiarize themselves with the various EIPs being considered for the Pectra upgrade, as these could significantly impact Ethereum’s functionality and performance.
- Stay Informed on API & RPC Changes: Developers and other stakeholders should stay updated on changes to the Ethereum Engine API and JSON RPC, as these could affect how applications built on Ethereum operate.
