Ethereum’s Pectra Update Scheduled for Early 2025

During a teleconference, Ethereum’s execution layer developers decided that the Pectra update will be released by the first quarter of 2025.

This is the next major network upgrade following Dencun, which was implemented in March.

The update will include proposals to improve the format of Ethereum Virtual Machine objects.

It is also expected to deploy EIP-7251, or the “increase of the maximum effective balance.” This change will allow validators to stake more than the current limit of 32 ETH — up to 2048 ETH. This will enable node operators to reduce the number of nodes under their management.

Developers decided to replace the account abstraction-related EIP-3074 with a new proposal, EIP-7702, from Vitalik Buterin.

The improvement introduces a new type of transaction that will allow Ethereum account addresses to function as smart contract wallets for the duration of the transaction, with a subsequent return to their original state.

In April, Buterin shared details of the next stage in Ethereum’s roadmap — The Purge.