Ethereum 2.0 already has a new testnet: Ropsten. It is the first such network designed to be permanent (the other networks were launched on a temporary basis). There, in a few days, the implementation of the merger (The Merge) will be visible.
This network will be active for the entire life cycle of the "new Ethereum"
Ropsten is one of the test networks that already existed in Ethereum version 1.0. Unlike other networks, such as Kintsugi or Kiln, and subsequent shadow forks reported by us, Ropsten will be a phased network that will go from ETH 1.0 with Proof of Work (PoW) to ETH 2.0 with Proof of Stake (PoS). This network will be active for the entire life cycle of the "new Ethereum".
The genesis block of the Ropsten Beacon Chain (the name of the Ethereum 2.0 network) was officially validated yesterday, May 30th, as reported on the official website of the Ethereum Foundation. At the same time, the platform has also published the software on which validators can be run.
The Ethereum Foundation asks node operators to consult their customers' documentation for specific instructions on this transition.
In addition, they "strongly" recommend that stakers (those who have deposited 32 ETH in the Ethereum 2.0 smart contract to become validators) to "merge on Ropsten and other test networks before the main Ethereum network passes the participation test. ".
Difficulty bomb to test on Ropsten
Also at the time of launch, it was reported that the difficulty bomb (the protocol that will stop PoW mining on Ethereum), will be activated on June 2 on Ropsten for ETH 1.0. The transition phase is expected to end on 8 June. By this date, the merger protocol will be active. At this point, Ethereum 1.0's Ropsten network will stop and be merged with Ropsten's Beacon Chain.
After Ropsten, two other test nets (Goerli and Sepolia) will be subjected to this process. The success or failure of this first testnet that will transition to Ethereum 2.0 will allow us to estimate the dates for merging into other testnets. The merger will arrive this year on the main Ethereum network.
As CryptoNews recently reported, the merger is expected to finally arrive on Ethereum in the second half of this year.
The developers of the network are taking steps in this regard. However, he is not yet ready for the final step to the participation test. For this reason the difficulty bomb, which is scheduled to explode on 1 July, could be delayed for a couple of months.
