The Ethereum network is approaching a significant milestone with its Dencun update, which is now in its final testing phase. This upgrade aims to drastically cut transaction costs and boost network scalability. The Sepolia testnet has already integrated the update, marking a critical step before the full implementation of the “proto-danksharding” feature.
Dencun Update’s Final Testnet Phase
The Dencun update was successfully deployed on the Sepolia testnet, with Ethereum Foundation DevOps engineer Parithosh Jayanthi confirming the smooth integration. This deployment sets the stage for the update’s final testnet launch on Holesky, scheduled for February 7. Following this, the Ethereum team will plan for the mainnet rollout of the Dencun update.
Previously, Ethereum’s core developers had implemented the update on the Goerli testnet at the start of the month. The final testnet deployment will be a decisive step towards the mainnet launch, ensuring the update’s stability and effectiveness.
The Dencun update introduces “blobs,” a new data storage format designed to lower transaction fees and improve scalability through proto-danksharding. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has described blobs as large data pieces that can be transmitted at a lower cost than current data call methods.
Ethereum’s last significant upgrade, the Shapella update, took place in March 2023, which allowed for the withdrawal of staked ETH by users and validators. The Dencun update is set to be another transformative step for the Ethereum network, enhancing its performance and user experience.