The Pectra update now allows staking up to 2,048 ETH per validator, compared to 32 previously, revolutionizing the staking infrastructure and reducing network fragmentation.
The EIP-7702 introduces a major advancement towards account abstraction by allowing wallets to temporarily function as smart contracts, improving the user experience.
Comprised of 11 EIPs, the Pectra update enhances the performance, modularity, and data management of Ethereum at a strategic moment in response to the rise of Solana.
The Pectra Update Is Validated on the Ethereum Mainnet
Ethereum has just rolled out its largest update since the 2022 Merge. Named Pectra, this major evolution reshuffles the deck for validators, wallets, and the very future of the network. Against a backdrop of increasing pressure from Solana and a community in search of a clear direction.
Scaling Staking: 32 ETH is a Thing of the Past
EIP-7251 is the game-changer. The 32 ETH cap per validator is lifted: it is now possible to stake up to 2,048 via a single node. A revolution for infrastructure providers who previously had to manage hundreds of validators for a single entity. Less fragmentation, less latency, and a reduced queue to join the network.
“Small operators can finally capitalize effectively, while large ones reduce their network bandwidth“, summarizes Tim Beiko (Ethereum Foundation). Goal: strengthen network stability without compromising decentralization.
Towards Smarter Wallets
Another key change: EIP-7702. Thanks to it, wallets can temporarily behave like smart contracts. This step towards account abstraction opens the door to practical uses: paying fees in stablecoins, automating transactions, or recovering access in case of seed phrase forgetfulness.
A crucial step to democratize the Ethereum ecosystem and finally make it user-friendly.
Eleven EIPs to Get Ethereum Back on Track
Eleven improvement proposals make up Pectra. Some focus on performance (EIP-2537 to accelerate cryptographic calculations), others on data management (EIP-7691, EIP-7840), or simplifying the validation process (EIP-6110, EIP-7002). All to make Ethereum faster, more modular, and better equipped to address data availability challenges.
A Strategic Update at a Critical Moment
Pectra arrives in a tense context. Ethereum is losing ground to Solana, which continues to attract more developers. The Ethereum Foundation had to rethink its governance, faced with criticism for lack of vision and the stagnation of ETH’s value.
Two failed tests, including one that killed a major testnet, did not help reassure the community. But the success of the Pectra deployment could mark a turning point. More than just a hard fork, it’s a signal: Ethereum is far from finished.
