Ethereum has activated its highly anticipated Pectra update, considered the largest upgrade since the Merge in 2022. This update includes 11 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), such as EIP-7251 and EIP-7702, and introduces significant enhancements for staking efficiency, validator operations, user experience, and Layer 2 scalability. Key changes include raising the staking cap per validator from 32 ETH to 2,048 ETH, making staking services more streamlined for large participants.
Other EIPs within Pectra improve network security, simplify validator onboarding, optimize validator votes, and increase transaction and data processing capacity. Notable additions like EIP-2537 speed up cryptographic operations, which may benefit privacy-focused tools, while EIP-2935 and EIP-6110 enhance data verification and on-chain management for new validators. Pectra aims to reduce transaction fees, boost transaction capacity, and prepare Ethereum for future upgrades.
The upgrade comes after months of testing and is expected to offer broader benefits across the Ethereum network for users, staking providers, and developers.