Ethereum Simulating Withdrawals On ‘Zhejiang’ Test

Ethereum developers will open a new test network on Wednesday called “Zhejiang,” where users can start testing Ethereum Improvement Proposal-4895, also known as staked ether withdrawals, that’s included in the protocol’s next big upgrade, the so-called Shanghai hard fork.

Testnets run on top of and duplicate the main blockchain. They allow developers and users to test upgrades and applications in a low-stakes environment before going live.

That full capability will be available when the Shanghai upgrade goes live, which is expected to be in March or April, according to Ethereum core developer Terence Tsao. Previously, the upgrade's release date had been set in stone as March.

The Zhejiang public testnet, which went live on February 1st, will allow validators to experiment with withdrawal features on a simulated version of Ethereum meant to mimic a post-Shanghai chain.

The testnet will also allow Ethereum's core developers to monitor widespread use of such features and tweak them to address any potential issues.

(With inputs from Shikha Singh)

1 months ago