Ethereum to retire Holesky testnet two weeks after the Fusaka upgrade concludes as new testnet Hoodi takes center stage

The Ethereum Foundation has confirmed that the Holešky (Holesky) testnet is entering its final phase and will be shut down two weeks after the Fusaka upgrade finalizes, with support from client teams, testing groups, and infrastructure providers ending at that point. Holešky, launched in 2023 as Ethereum’s largest public testnet, was designed to stress‑test staking systems and validator performance at scale and was used for major protocol work including Dencun and Pectra. However, during Pectra testing in early 2025 the network suffered inactivity leaks and a prolonged validator exit queue, exposing structural issues that made continued long‑term use less attractive. To address these limitations, Ethereum core contributors launched the Hoodi testnet in March 2025 as a fresh environment with a clean validator set, full Pectra compatibility, and readiness for upcoming upgrades such as Fusaka. Following Holešky’s shutdown, Ethereum’s public testing landscape is being consolidated around three networks with clearer roles: Sepolia for application and tooling development, Hoodi for validator and staking provider testing, and Ephemery for lightweight validator lifecycle experiments with frequent resets. Developers currently relying on Holešky are being advised to migrate smart contract and dapp workflows to Sepolia, while staking operators and infrastructure teams are encouraged to move their operations to Hoodi, marking a structured transition to a more maintainable and specialized testnet ecosystem.

✨ AI-generated background, compiled from web sources — not editorial content.

More coverage

• Ethereum Developers Finalize Holesky Testnet Retirement Plan (etherworld.co)
• Ethereum to retire Holesky testnet as Hoodi takes center stage (cryptorank.io)
• Ethereum is Retiring Its Biggest Testnet: What's Up with Holesky and ... (binance.com)
• Holešky Testnet Shutdown Announcement (blog.ethereum.org)
• Ethereum Holesky: All You Need to Know and How to Use It (blog.quicknode.com)

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