Ethereum layer 2 Taiko rolls out Hoodi public testnet as Hekla nears sunset
Taiko has introduced its new public testnet, Hoodi, which now serves as the primary developer environment.
- The new testnet becomes the main environment as Hekla and Ethereum’s Holesky are deprecated.
- Hoodi adds preconfirmation support to improve transaction testing and simulate mainnet conditions.
- Developers must shift to Hoodi and withdraw assets from Hekla before Sept. 30 to avoid disruptions.
Taiko has rolled out a new public testnet called Hoodi, which went live on Sept. 25. The launch marks a major step in the project’s roadmap as it becomes the primary testing environment for developers working on Taiko’s Ethereum-based rollup.
At the same time, the long-serving Hekla testnet will sunset on Sept. 30, in line with the Ethereum Foundation’s decision to deprecate the Holesky testnet that Hekla was built upon.
Since its launch, Hekla played an important role in helping teams experiment with Ethereum (ETH) scaling through Taiko’s first based rollup, Alethia. Developers used it to refine products, test integrations, and ship applications ahead of Taiko’s mainnet deployment.
Now that Holesky has shut down, Taiko is moving its ecosystem to Hoodi to maintain continuity and provide stronger support for future expansion.
Key features of Hoodi testnet
The Hoodi testnet introduces preconfirmations, a feature designed to speed up transaction processing by offering early confirmations before full finality. This mechanism allows developers to test faster transaction flows and simulate mainnet conditions more closely.
Hoodi is also integrated with Ethereum’s validator and staking infrastructure, making it a reliable ground for testing real-world applications. Developers can access it using Taiko’s bridge and faucet tools, ensuring a smooth migration for teams building across the ecosystem.
It is expected that the underlying layer 1 testnet will continue to function until 2028, providing infrastructure providers and staking operators with long-term stability.
Taiko’s upcoming updates
Additional improvements are scheduled for Q4 2025 as part of Taiko’s ongoing roadmap development. Alongside the Shasta hard fork, the project is getting ready to launch the Gwyneth testnet, which will result in improved base fees, reduced transaction costs, and a complete transition to zero-knowledge proofs. Later this year, preconfirmations on the mainnet are also expected.
To prevent any disruptions, developers currently working on Hekla must complete the Hoodi migration by Sept. 30. This includes removing any testnet assets.
You May Also Like
Why Is Pi Network Token (PI) Up 22% on Oct. 29?
German VDMA cautions U.S. tariff expansion will impact over 50% of machine exports
BNB Price Drops 2% as the Dex Volume Tumbles Cautioning Further Downside
Highlights: The BNB price is down 2% to $1111.46, despite the trading volume spiking 26%. The BNB on-chain demand has slipped, with the open interest plummeting 3% showing a drop in demand. The technical outlook shows a tight tug-of-war, with the bulls attempting to overcome resistance zones. The BNB price is down 2% today, to trade at $1111.46. Despite the plunge, the daily trading volume has soared 26% showing increased market activity among traders. However, BNB Chain has seen declining network activity, with the open interest plummeting, signaling a drop in demand. On Chain Demand on BNB Cools Off The BNB Chain is in a state of cooldown of network activity, which indicates low on-chain demand. In most instances, when a network fails to ensure large volumes or revenues, it means that there is low demand or outflows to other networks. BNB DeFi Data: DeFiLlama According to DeFiLlama data, the volume of the Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) is down to at least $2.12 billion in comparison to the high of $6.313 billion on October 8, which also means low on-chain liquidity. On the other hand, Coinglass data shows that the volume of BNB has grown by 3.97% to reach $4.95 billion. However, the open interest in BNB futures has dropped by 3.36% to reach $1.74 billion. This reduction in open interest is an indication of a conservative stance by investors since the number of new positions being opened is low. This could be an indication that investors are not so sure about the short-term price outlook. BNB Derivatives Data: CoinGlass Meanwhile, the long-to-short ratio is sitting at 0.9091. This shows that the traders are undecided on BNB price’s next move, as it sits below 1. BNB Price Moves Into Consolidation The chart displays the BNB/USD price action on a 4-hour timeframe, with the token currently hovering around $1111.46. The 50-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) is at $1113, while the 200-day SMA sits at $1129, cushioning the bulls against upside movement. The price has mostly been trending below both SMAs, indicating that the bears are having the upper hand. The BNB trading volume is up, soaring 26%, signaling the momentum is real. On the 4-hour chart, BNB is trading within a consolidation channel. In such a case, this pattern may act as an accumulation period, giving the bulls hind wings to break above resistance zones. BNB/USD 4-hour chart: TradingView Zooming in, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits at 44.15, below the 50 level. This shows weakening momentum in the BNB market, and might lead to the RSI plunging to the oversold region if the bulls don’t regain control. In the short term, the BNB price could move up to $1113 resistance and flip it into support. A close above this zone will see the bulls target $1126 resistance, giving the bulls strength to reclaim the $1230 mark. Conversely, if the resistance zones prove too strong, a dip towards $1012 could be plausible. In such a case, this could be a prime buy zone for the risk-takers. In the long term, if the token keeps the hype alive, the bulls may reclaim the $1375 high or higher. eToro Platform Best Crypto Exchange Over 90 top cryptos to trade Regulated by top-tier entities User-friendly trading app 30+ million users 9.9 Visit eToro eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.