The Ethereum Foundation Launched the Mekong Testnet, Allowing Developers to Get a Sneak Peek into the Functionalities of the Pectra Upgrade

The Ethereum Foundation recently introduced the Mekong as a short-term testnet, enabling developers to test upcoming UX and staking improvements in the Pectra fork.

The Ethereum Foundation announced the launch of the Mekong testnet on Monday, giving developers a chance to test upcoming user experience (UX) and staking improvements before they reach the Ethereum mainnet.

The testnet will be short-lived and will feature all the intended Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) for the Pectra upgrade. Developers will be able to test UX changes and prepare for the modifications associated with the upgrade.

According to the foundation, developers can expect some small specification changes in certain EIPs, but the features will integrate into existing public testnets and, later, the Ethereum mainnet.

Tim Beiko, from the Ethereum Foundation, who leads protocol support, referred to the brief testnet as a “pre-Devcon” preview, hinting at the upcoming Devcon in Bangkok.

The foundation noted that the Mekong testnet has implemented all the EIPs from the Pectra fork.

The changes span UX, staking, deposits, and exit mechanisms, in addition to various other proposed EIPs and specifications.

To help refine UX adjustments, the Ethereum Foundation asked developers to test these changes and provide their feedback.

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The foundation highlighted that stakers will experience major changes to the staking workflow with the Pectra upgrade.

“The Mekong testnet will be the first location to try them out,” it wrote.

As developers experiment with future upgrades on the Mekong testnet, the Ethereum Foundation clarified that this will not alter the mainnet or other Ethereum testnets, including Holesky and Sepolia.

“Mekong is a new testnet and does not affect other Ethereum networks. However, testing on the Mekong will inform the deployment of the Pectra upgrade on other Ethereum networks,” The Ethereum Foundation wrote.