Ethereum 'Holi' Testnet Scheduled for Release on March 17

# Ethereum Foundation to Launch 'Hooli' Testnet Ahead of Major Upgrade The Ethereum Foundation announced on March 17 that it will launch the ‘Hooli’ testnet on Monday. This move precedes the implementation of the new ‘Pectra’ code upgrade and serves as a final test phase. Tim Beiko, the Ethereum Foundation's core developer coordinator, shared via X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday after a developers' meeting that the Hooli testnet will launch on Monday to wrap up Pectra testing. Pectra is expected to be upgraded on the Hooli testnet on Wednesday, March 26, to assess its performance and stability. Beiko also noted that if the Hooli test is successful, additional testing will occur approximately 30 days later before the upgrade is deployed. Should all go as planned, Ethereum users can expect the Pectra upgrade to reach the main network between late April and early May. The Pectra upgrade represents significant technical progress amidst various challenges faced by Ethereum. Recent ETH price declines, changes in Ethereum Foundation leadership, and increasing competition from emerging blockchains like Solana have fueled skepticism about Ethereum’s ability to maintain market dominance. The industry views the successful deployment of Pectra as crucial for restoring confidence in Ethereum's technology roadmap.