Ethereum developers to debut new testnet 'Holesky' next month

Crypto Ecosystems • August 18, 2023, 1:49PM EDT

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Quick Take

Ethereum core developers are planning to roll out a new testnet called Holesky in September.

In a bid to improve the testing environment and address supply challenges for ether on testnets, Ethereum core developers are planning to launch a new testnet called Holesky next month, as discussed in a meeting yesterday.

The upcoming test network, initially referred to as Holli, aims to offer enhanced testing support for developers working on the Ethereum network.

Ethereum testnets

Test networks, or testnets, serve as clone blockchains that allow developers to deploy applications and identify bugs before launching them on the mainnet. Currently, Ethereum’s ecosystem has two primary testnets: Goerli and Sepolia. However, Goerli is reportedly going to be deprecated soon, paving the way for the introduction of Holesky.

Holesky may have a potential supply of over 1 billion testnet ETH. This substantial supply is designed to address challenges that developers face when acquiring testnet ETH on the primary test networks. The large amount of testnet ETH will enable easier access for testing Ethereum smart contracts.

About Author

Vishal Chawla is The Block’s crypto ecosystems editor and has spent over six years covering tech protocols, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Vishal likes to delve deep into blockchain intricacies to ensure readers are well-informed about the continuously evolving crypto landscape. He is also a staunch advocate for rigorous security practices in the space. Before joining The Block, Vishal held positions at IDG ComputerWorld, CIO, and Crypto Briefing. He can be reached on Twitter at @vishal4c and via email at [email protected]