Delay Concerns and Strategic Discussions
There are concerns that the anticipated Ethereum upgrade, known as Dencun, may be delayed until early next year. During the Ethereum All Core Developers Consensus Call (ACDC) #118, Tim Beiko from the Ethereum Foundation suggested that Dencun may not launch on the mainnet before the end of 2023. The absence of Dencun on public testnets and the upcoming Devconnect conference in November 2023 contribute to this potential delay. Core developers have been discussing the strategic deployment of Dencun, particularly focusing on launching it first on the Goerli testnet before transitioning to Holesky.
Developments on Devnet-9
Devnet-9, which serves as a precursor for Dencun, is scheduled to begin its test phase next week. This testing ground will feature the full suite of the Dencun upgrade and activate EIP 7514 and 7516. The Ethereum Foundation’s DevOps Engineer, Parithosh Jayanthi, expressed readiness for the launch of Devnet-9, with multiple clients confirming their preparedness. However, developers acknowledge the need for flexibility and are willing to start Devnet-9 even if not all clients are ready.
Implementation of EIP-4844
EIP-4844, also known as proto-danksharding, plays a crucial role in the Dencun upgrade by enhancing Ethereum’s scalability and improving Layer 2 solutions. The proposal requires a verification process based on a secret value generated through a multi-party ceremony held from January to August 2023. The deployment strategy for this EIP is currently being tested on Devnet-9, with developers considering incorporating a trusted setup derived from the multi-party ceremony results.
Hot Take: The Complex Journey of the Dencun Upgrade
The Dencun upgrade is a significant milestone in Ethereum’s evolution, focusing on scalability and integrating important improvements. However, the complexity of this upgrade is evident through the intricate processes, strategic decisions on deployment, and extensive testing phases. Although there are concerns about a potential delay, it is likely that Dencun will be deployed in early 2024. As Ethereum continues to evolve, these upgrades are crucial for its growth and development.
At press time, ETH traded at roughly $1,596.