Ethereum is making steady progress with its highly anticipated Shapella upgrade, according to an announcement from the Ethereum Foundation. The Shapella transition has entered the final pre-release phase of the Zhejiang testnet and is now imminent. The Shapella upgrade is a combination of the Shanghai and Capella upgrades and will bring several improvements to the network, including the ability for validators to make full and partial withdrawals.
Shapella Upgrade Brings Withdrawals to Network
One of the key features of the Shapella upgrade is the ability for validators to make full and partial withdrawals. Validators with 0x01 execution layer withdrawal credentials will be able to participate in full withdrawals, while validators with an active balance of more than 32 ETH will be able to make partial withdrawals. The Shapella upgrade will also enhance the Beacon chain consensus layer, which is especially useful for Ethereum stakers interested in understanding the withdrawal process.
China’s Zhejiang Test Network Leads
The Shapella upgrade is currently being tested on the Zhejiang testnet, which launched on February 1. This is the first of three testnets simulating the Shanghai upgrade, which is expected to go live in March. The Sepolia testnet is scheduled for an upgrade on February 28, followed by the Goerli testnet. The Ethereum team encourages all Ethereum stakeholders, node operators, infrastructure providers, and others to speed up the Shapella upgrade, test their software, and keep an eye out for upcoming upgrades.
Ethereum’s Roadmap Is Full of Upgrades
Ethereum’s roadmap is filled with a series of upcoming upgrades, including Surge, Verge, Purge, and Splurge. In September 2022, Ethereum transitioned to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus, which could bring it to the attention of regulators. However, Ethereum co-founder Joseph Rubin recently expressed confidence that ether will not be classified as a security in the United States.