An important event has happened on the Ethereum network: the developers have activated the Pectra update. This is one of the biggest updates since the network's merger in 2022. It includes 11 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIP) at once, aimed at improving efficiency, improving user experience, optimizing validators, and improving second-level scalability.
The update was activated at epoch 364032 at approximately 6:05 a.m. Eastern time. Although there were configuration issues in test networks such as Holesky and Sepolia before the launch of the Pectra, the successful deployment of the Hoodi network in March 2025 provided the necessary conditions for activation in the main network.
Pectra builds on the Dencun update, which was released in March 2024 and introduced the concept of proto-sharding using EIP-4844. The implementation of this update allows Ethereum to significantly improve performance and prepare for more extensive improvements in the future, for example, as part of the Fusaka update, which will use Werksley and PeerDAS trees to further scale the network.
Here's what the Pectra update includes and how it will affect users and validators.:
EIP-7702: Account Abstraction
One of the key changes in Pectra was the introduction of account abstraction via EIP-7702. This offer allows wallets to perform the functions of smart contracts, for example, to pay a gas fee with the help of third parties. Users can now interact with the network without having to hold ETH, as well as combine multiple actions into a single transaction. This greatly simplifies the work with cryptocurrencies and reduces gas costs.
In addition, account abstraction will pave the way for the implementation of features such as recovery via social media, which will be useful for users who have lost access to their keys.
EIP-7251: Increasing the limits for validators
The EIP-7251 significantly increases the validator's maximum effective balance from 32 ETH to 2048 ETH. This allows stake holders with large amounts of money to combine several validators into one, which reduces the load on the network and simplifies the process. However, this may lead to centralization, as larger operators and pools will be able to control most of the network.
EIP-7691: Doubling the throughput of blobs for the second layer
Pectra includes EIP-7691, which increases the throughput of blobs from 3 to 6 (target value) and from 6 to 9 (maximum value). This will help scale second-tier solutions such as Arbitrum and Optimism, and reduce transaction fees, making Ethereum more convenient and accessible to users.
EIP-7002: Validator Output Management
The EIP-7002 allows you to run validator outputs from the execution layer, minimizing dependence on active keys. This improves network security, as it avoids attacks on hot keys and simplifies the withdrawal process.
EIP-2935: Storing historical block hashes
According to EIP-2935, Ethereum will store the hashes of the latest blocks in a state rather than in temporary memory, making them available to smart contracts and applications. This improves interaction with oracles, cross-layer communication, and verification of historical data.
EIP-6110: Acceleration of validator activation
The EIP-6110 significantly reduces the activation time of new validators from 12 hours to just 13 minutes. This speeds up the process of connecting new participants and reduces delays for large staking operators.
Additional improvements
Several other improvements have also been implemented within the framework of the Pectra, for example:
EIP-7623: Increasing the cost of data transmission to stimulate the use of blobs.
EIP-2537: Introduction of pre-compilation to reduce gas costs for cryptographic checks.
EIP-7685: Simplification of the query process for validators and their deposit.
EIP-7549: improving the work of validators at the consensus level.
EIP-7840: Adding basic tariffs for blobs to stabilize tariffs for second-tier users.
How will this affect users and developers?
The implementation of these improvements will ensure a more stable, cheaper and scalable operation of the Ethereum network. Users will be able to interact with applications faster and cheaper, and developers will be able to create more efficient and cost-effective dApps. However, some criticize the changes that could lead to increased centralization of the network.
What do you think about these changes? Does this affect your opinion about the future of Ethereum?
