In a significant shift for the Ethereum community, the Holesky testnet—once the largest and most ambitious of its kind—is set to shutter after the anticipated Fusaka upgrade later this year. This move marks the end of a two-year chapter that saw Holesky as the primary proving ground for Ethereum’s proof-of-stake advancements.
The Rise and Fall of Holesky
Launched in 2023, Holesky quickly ascended to the forefront of Ethereum’s testing infrastructure. As the largest public testnet, it provided a sprawling sandbox for thousands of validators eager to experiment with upgrades before they hit the mainnet. Holesky’s importance was underscored by its role in trialing significant milestones such as the Dencun and Pectra upgrades, which collectively aimed to reduce transaction costs and enhance validator efficiency.
Yet, like any complex system, Holesky was not immune to challenges. As the network aged, it began experiencing “inactivity leaks” post-Pectra activation—a term the crypto community uses to describe the mass offline status of validators, leading to a congested exit queue. For developers seeking nimble feedback loops, this bottleneck was less a speed bump and more a brick wall. “Holesky was a game-changer in its heyday, but the validator backlog became an Achilles’ heel,” noted a source close to Ethereum’s development team.
Enter Hoodi: The New Kid on the Block
To address Holesky’s growing pains, Ethereum introduced Hoodi in March 2025. This new testnet is engineered to avoid the pitfalls that plagued its predecessor, offering a fresh platform for validator and staking provider trials. “Hoodi is our answer to Holesky’s woes,” said an Ethereum developer. “It’s designed to offer the same robust environment, minus the queues and downtime.”
Alongside Hoodi, other testnets like Sepolia and Ephemery continue to play pivotal roles. Sepolia remains the mainstay for decentralized app and smart contract testing, whereas Ephemery is tailored for those needing rapid validator cycle resets every 28 days.
A Look Ahead
The decision to sunset Holesky raises intriguing possibilities for Ethereum’s ecosystem. With the Fusaka upgrade poised to make rollups cheaper and faster by evenly distributing data storage among validators, all eyes are on the Ethereum mainnet to see how these changes will unfold. The transition from Holesky to Hoodi and other testnets is a testament to Ethereum’s adaptive strategy in an ever-evolving landscape.
While the closure of Holesky may signal the end of an era, it also heralds the dawn of a new phase—one that prioritizes agility and efficiency. As Ethereum continues to evolve, the community will be watching closely. Will Hoodi live up to its promise? How will the Fusaka upgrade impact the broader network? These are the questions on everyone’s minds, especially as Ethereum Leads Market While Altcoins Lose Ground.
As of today, Ether (ETH) holds steady at $4,380, reflecting a market teetering on the brink of transformation. The coming months promise to be pivotal, not just for Ethereum’s infrastructure but for the cryptocurrency market at large. For more insights on Ethereum’s price dynamics, see our recent Ethereum Price Analysis: Critical Juncture Could Define ETH’s Bull Market Status.
Source
This article is based on: Ethereum to Close Its Largest Testnet, Holesky, After Fusaka Upgrade
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Steve Gregory is a lawyer in the United States who specializes in licensing for cryptocurrency companies and products. Steve began his career as an attorney in 2015 but made the switch to working in cryptocurrency full time shortly after joining the original team at Gemini Trust Company, an early cryptocurrency exchange based in New York City. Steve then joined CEX.io and was able to launch their regulated US-based cryptocurrency. Steve then went on to become the CEO at currency.com when he ran for four years and was able to lead currency.com to being fully acquired in 2025.
