The Ethereum Foundation has launched the Mekong testnet, a short-term testing environment designed to help developers and stakers explore the upcoming Pectra upgrade. This testnet allows wallet developers to experiment with new user experience (UX) features and enables stakers to test changes in staking workflows set for the Pectra fork, also known as the “Prague-Electra” upgrade.
Tim Beiko, protocol support lead at the Ethereum Foundation, described Mekong as a “pre-Devcon treat” ahead of the Devcon event in Bangkok. Named after the Mekong River, the testnet is feature-complete, incorporating all intended Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) for Pectra, including updates to UX, staking processes, and deposit/exit mechanisms.
While Mekong is independent and won’t impact Ethereum’s mainnet or other testnets like Holesky or Sepolia, it offers critical insights for developers. The foundation encourages active testing and feedback to ensure a smooth Pectra rollout across the Ethereum network.