Ethereum launches Mekong testnet to preview Pectra upgrade features

The Ethereum Foundation has introduced a short-lived testnet called Mekong, designed to allow developers to experiment with upcoming upgrades before they reach the Ethereum mainnet.

On Nov. 7, the Ethereum Foundation — a nonprofit organization that supports Ethereum — announced it would launch the “Mekong testnet,” to allow developers to experiment with user experience (UX) changes and familiarize themselves with upcoming modifications for the Prague-Electra, or “Pectra,” fork on Ethereum. The Ethereum Foundation wrote: 

“Mekong is meant to be a playground for wallet developers to experiment with UX changes and for stakers to gain confidence in the upcoming changes. The testnet will be short-lived and is feature complete with all the intended EIPs for Pectra.”

According to the foundation, developers may see minor spec changes for smaller Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), but the features included will make it into the existing public testnets and eventually into the Ethereum mainnet. 

Tim Beiko, the protocol support lead at the Ethereum Foundation, said that the short-lived testnet is a “pre-devcon” treat, in reference to the upcoming Devcon event in Bangkok, Thailand. The name “Mekong” is a tribute to the Mekong River which runs through Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Related: Ethereum set for a ‘monster rally’ as price nears $2.9K

Ethereum Foundation launches Mekong testnet ahead of fork

According to the Ethereum Foundation, the Mekong testnet includes all the EIPs for the Pectra fork. This includes changes to UX, staking, deposits and exit mechanisms. It also includes other EIPs and specifications proposed for the upcoming Pectra fork on Ethereum. 

The Ethereum Foundation urged developers to experiment with UX-specific changes and provide feedback to the organization. 

As for stakers, the Ethereum Foundation highlighted that there are major changes to the staking workflow coming to Pectra. “The Mekong testnet will be the first location to try them out,” it wrote. 

While the Mekong testnet allows developers to test the upcoming upgrades, the Ethereum Foundation clarified that it would not affect the mainnet or other Ethereum testnets like Holesky or 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. 

Magazine: Decade after Ethereum ICO: Blockchain forensics end double-spending debate