Ethereum, the world’s second-largest blockchain network, is set to shut down its largest testnet, Holešky, after two years of groundbreaking testing. This move marks the culmination of its planned lifecycle and a transition to the new Hoodi testnet, as the Ethereum Foundation focuses on network resilience and scalability. Let’s dive into what this means for developers, users, and the broader Ethereum ecosystem.
Why Is Ethereum Shutting Down Holešky?
After launching in September 2023, Holešky was instrumental in testing critical upgrades such as staking infrastructure and validator operations. As explained by the Ethereum Foundation, the testnet fulfilled its purpose by allowing rigorous testing of protocol upgrades like the Dencun upgrade and, more recently, Pectra.
However, Holešky experienced significant technical issues, including extensive inactivity leaks in early 2025, resulting in validator exit queues. The network eventually recovered, but the Ethereum Foundation launched Hoodi in March 2025 to provide a refreshed testing environment free of these issues.
The Implications of Transitioning to Hoodi
As part of the migration, all staking operators and infrastructure will attempt to shift from Holešky to Hoodi. Notably, the Hoodi testnet is equipped to handle the upcoming Fusaka fork, which Ethereum core developers aim to launch on the mainnet by November 2025.
The Fusaka hard fork, also known as Fulu-Osaka, is a key upgrade designed to improve rollups by distributing data availability tasks across validators. This is expected to enhance decentralization and Layer-2 scalability, enabling faster and more cost-efficient transaction processing.
What Developers Should Know
For smart contract and dApp developers, the Ethereum Foundation recommends transitioning to the Sepolia testnet for a reliable testing environment. It remains the preferred option until further updates from the Hoodi migration are finalized.
Those looking to prepare for future transitions should also focus on understanding Fusaka’s 11 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs), which promise to significantly optimize user experience and scalability. Looking ahead, Ethereum’s roadmap includes the Glamsterdam upgrade (EIP-7782) in 2026, which plans to reduce block times and separate block validation from execution.
What This Means for Ethereum Users
This strategic shift underscores Ethereum’s commitment to scalability, decentralization, and user experience. As publicly traded companies increasingly adopt Ether (ETH) into their treasuries — a key catalyst behind Ethereum’s impressive 200% value rally since April — these upgrades position Ethereum for further market growth.
For those following Ethereum’s evolution, staying up-to-date on foundational upgrades and testnet transitions is essential. Looking to enhance your knowledge? Check out Ledger Nano X, a top-tier hardware wallet to securely store and manage ETH during these exciting updates.
Conclusion
The closure of Holešky marks an important step forward in Ethereum’s journey toward network optimization and innovation. By streamlining its testing environment and preparing for cutting-edge upgrades, Ethereum is setting the stage for a more scalable and user-friendly future.
While transitions like these may pose short-term challenges, they are necessary steps in Ethereum’s broader mission: to become the world’s most secure, efficient, and decentralized blockchain network.
