Research Summary
The report discusses the Ethereum All Core Developers Consensus Call #129, where developers discussed the upcoming Dencun upgrade, the scope of the next Ethereum upgrade, Pectra, and several research topics. The report also highlights the discussions on block value standardization and keymanager API standardization.
Key Takeaways
Preparations for Dencun Upgrade
- Imminent Dencun Upgrade: Ethereum developers are preparing for the Dencun upgrade, scheduled to go live on March 13. Client teams are expected to release new recommended versions of their software for the upgrade.
- MEV-Boost Software Readiness: Chris Hager from the Flashbots team confirmed that the MEV-Boost version 1.7 is stable and ready for validator node operators to use. However, concerns were raised about the readiness of validators for the upgrade.
Scope of Pectra Upgrade
- Code Changes for Pectra: Developers discussed four code changes related to the Pectra upgrade, including Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIP) 7549, 7547, and 7251, and a proposal related to reducing staking rewards.
- Implementation of EIP 7549: Developers agreed on the implementation of EIP 7549, which makes consensus layer clients more efficient at aggregating votes for blocks. However, further documentation and specification for the Beacon API changes were recommended.
Keymanager API Standardization
- Need for Standardization: The report highlights the need for standardizing the keymanager API, as all consensus layer clients have slightly different methods for generating validator keys. This makes testing the API endpoints difficult.
Block Value Beacon API Standardization
- Standardization Concerns: Concerns were raised about the standardization of the Beacon API endpoints “produceBlockV3” and “getBlockRewards”. The specifications do not detail whether clients should include reward and penalties from validator balance changes that result from the actions of another validator.
Miscellaneous Updates
- Execution Layer Client Behavior: The report mentions the need for specifying execution layer client behavior for late blocks in the Engine API.
- Women in Ethereum Protocol: The Ethereum Foundation launched a new working group, Women in Ethereum Protocol (WiEP), to encourage and onboard more female Ethereum protocol developers.
Actionable Insights
- Monitor the Dencun Upgrade: Stakeholders should closely monitor the Dencun upgrade and the release of new software versions by client teams.
- Understand the Pectra Upgrade: Understanding the scope and potential impact of the Pectra upgrade, including the proposed code changes, can provide insights into the future development of Ethereum.
- Consider the Need for API Standardization: The discussions on keymanager API and block value Beacon API standardization highlight the need for consistent methods across different clients. Stakeholders should consider the implications of these standardizations.
- Support Diversity in Ethereum Development: The launch of the Women in Ethereum Protocol (WiEP) group presents an opportunity to support diversity in Ethereum protocol development.
