Ethereum developers announced the release of client software designed for the upcoming Pectra deployment on the Holesky and Sepolia testnets, setting the stage for a mainnet upgrade expected in April, The Block reported.

The client software, which supports various consensus and execution layers, was made available today. This release is a precursor to the mainnet launch and allows developers to evaluate the upgrade in a controlled environment.

The Pectra upgrade will undergo testing on the Holesky testnet on February 24, followed by the Sepolia testnet on March 5. These test deployments are crucial for assessing the upgrade's performance and compatibility, as well as for identifying and addressing any potential issues.

An All Core Developers (ACD) call is scheduled for March 6 to finalize the date for the mainnet upgrade. Although April 8 is the current expected date, it may be adjusted depending on the results from the testnet evaluations. The Pectra upgrade was initially anticipated to roll out on the mainnet in March.

Pectra represents a significant update for the Ethereum network, with a focus on enhancing scalability, security, and overall user experience. It boasts the most Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) in a single upgrade to date.

Key improvements in the Pectra upgrade include enhancements to user experience in cryptocurrency wallets and the introduction of account abstraction (EIP-7702), an increase in the maximum validator stake limit from 32 ETH to 2,048 ETH (EIP-7251), and a doubling of the max blob count to advance rollup scalability (EIP-7691). These changes are expected to substantially bolster the Ethereum network's capabilities.