The Ethereum Foundation has officially announced the beginning of the shutdown process for the Holesky testnet, a network that played a crucial role in recent testing efforts, particularly for the Fusaka upgrade. According to the announcement, node operators are expected to begin taking their systems offline this week, with the entire process spanning approximately 10 days.
Holesky testnet shutdown begins this week. It was used to support Ethereum’s Fusaka upgrade testing. Node operators will phase out operations within 10 days.
Holesky’s Role in Ethereum Development
Launched as a successor to the Goerli testnet, the Holesky testnet was introduced to address scalability and network simulation issues. It provided a robust environment for developers to test upgrades without impacting the main Ethereum blockchain.
The testnet notably supported testing for Fusaka, a major protocol update aimed at optimizing Ethereum’s performance and introducing new consensus improvements. Now that Fusaka testing has concluded successfully, the Ethereum Foundation says Holesky has fulfilled its purpose.
UPDATE: Ethereum Foundation announces Holesky testnet degradation begins this week after serving its purpose for Fusaka testing.
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) October 21, 2025
Operators will shut down nodes over the next 10 days. pic.twitter.com/molA1zDAl6
What Comes Next for Developers?
With Holesky being phased out, Ethereum developers will shift their focus to other active testnets or new environments as designated by the Ethereum Foundation. While this transition may briefly impact testing workflows, Ethereum’s developer community is already preparing to migrate and adapt.
This move marks another milestone in Ethereum’s continued push for network efficiency and long-term scalability.