The Ethereum Cancun/Deneb upgrade has been delayed until the first quarter of 2024, with the launch of Devnet-12 expected in early December. Ethereum developers met on November 2 for the All Core Developers Consensus Call #121, chaired by Danny Ryan of the Ethereum Foundation.
During the meeting, developers discussed various crucial topics, including changes to Cancun/Deneb specifications, updates to testnet schedules, and the creation of a canonical JSON mapping to consensus layer (CL) SSZ specifications.
One significant change discussed involved reducing complexity in implementing blobs, intending to streamline the upgrade process. Developers aimed to simplify blob gossip conditions, addressing complexities related to message handling and validation. The proposal to attach block headers and inclusion proofs to each blob sidecar was well-received and has been turned into a pull request (PR) on GitHub.
Implementing these changes is expected to be more about removing unnecessary code than adding new features, which should result in minimal delays for the upgrade launch on the mainnet. This streamlined approach is expected to lead to a safer mainnet launch, as it is simpler and easier to get right.
Ethereum: Changes in MEV Builder Specifications
Developers also discussed changes related to MEV (Miner Extractable Value) builder specifications, considering the delegation of KZG inclusion proofs from the MEV relay to the Beacon node. This change could reduce the responsibilities of the relay and simplify the MEV workflow.
Furthermore, developers addressed an old proposal regarding honest validators’ ability to reorganize late blocks. This change encourages validators to propose blocks promptly and is an optional implementation for clients and node operators.
The timeline for testing the changes was discussed, with an estimated three-week timeline for implementing the discussed PRs. A new devnet, Devnet 12, will likely be launched for testing once the changes are implemented. The launch of the upgrade on the Goerli testnet, initially expected in late November, is now more likely to occur in the first quarter of 2024.
To simplify documentation and improve code readability, developers discussed the addition of a canonical JSON mapping of CL SSZ specifications. This proposal aims to enhance the clarity of Beacon API specifications.
Related Reading | Bitcoin’s Demand to Skyrocket Tenfold, Says Michael Saylor