Ethereum to Deprecate Holesky Testnet by September 2025

The Ethereum developer team has announced plans to end support for the Holesky testnet in September 2025. This decision is part of a broader strategy to transition and eventually deprecate the testnet, which has been a critical public testnet for staking, infrastructure, and protocol development since its launch in September 2023. The Holesky testnet is one of Ethereum's two main testnets, the other being Sepolia.

Deprecating a test network is a common practice in the Ethereum ecosystem. In the past, Ethereum developers have discontinued several testnets, including Kiln, Ropsten, and Rinkeby in 2022, and Goerli last year. These actions are typically taken to streamline the development process and focus resources on more critical aspects of the network.

The decision to end support for the Holesky testnet is likely driven by the need to consolidate resources and efforts on more stable and widely used testnets. By phasing out Holesky, the Ethereum developer team can allocate more time and resources to improving the mainnet and other essential components of the Ethereum ecosystem. This move also aligns with the broader goal of enhancing the network's scalability, security, and overall performance.

While the deprecation of Holesky may impact developers and projects that rely on it for testing, the transition period until September 2025 provides ample time for stakeholders to migrate to alternative testnets. The Ethereum developer team is expected to provide guidance and support during this transition to ensure a smooth shift for all affected parties. This proactive approach will help minimize disruptions and maintain the stability of the Ethereum ecosystem.

In summary, the Ethereum developer team's decision to end support for the Holesky testnet in September 2025 is a strategic move aimed at optimizing resources and enhancing the overall performance of the Ethereum network. This decision, while significant, is part of a broader trend of consolidating testnets to focus on more critical aspects of the ecosystem. The transition period until September 2025 will allow developers and projects to adapt to the changes and ensure a seamless migration to alternative testnets.