Ethereum Plans to Retire Its Most Extensive Testnet Known as Holesky
Ethereum Foundation Announces Shutdown of Holesky Testnet
The Ethereum Foundation has announced the upcoming shutdown of the Holesky testnet, a significant development in the ongoing evolution of the Ethereum network.
Launched in 2023, Holesky played a crucial role in testing major upgrades like Dencun and Pectra. It was particularly used to test staking infrastructure and validator operations. However, following the Pectra upgrade in early 2025, Holesky experienced validator inactivity and exit queues.
The shutdown of Holesky is related to the upcoming Fusaka upgrade on the Ethereum network. The Foundation decided to migrate testing to the Hoodi testnet for a cleaner, more stable testing environment. Hoodi, launched in March 2025, is now part of Ethereum's testnet structure, which also includes Sepolia and Ephemery.
Sepolia testnet is designed for decentralised apps (DApps) and smart contracts, while Ephemery testnet is for transient testing without state persistence concerns of longer-running testnets. On the other hand, Hoodi testnet is used for staking, validators, and infrastructure testing.
The Foundation expects staking operators and infrastructure providers to migrate their testing operations to Hoodi following the Fusaka upgrade phase completion. Hoodi was launched to replace the Holešky testnet and will continue to support all Pectra features and future protocol upgrades, including Fusaka.
Once the Fusaka upgrade is finalized on the network, Holesky will be shut down two weeks later. After Fusaka goes live, Holesky will no longer be supported by client teams.
This news was reported in the Unchained Daily newsletter, signalling a new chapter in the development of the Ethereum network. The shutdown of Holesky and the migration to Hoodi testnet are expected to contribute to a more efficient and stable testing environment for Ethereum's future upgrades.
