Just days to go before a possible launch of the ethereum 2.0 genesis block, a new testnet has gone live without a hitch.
Some 3.2 million testnet eth and more than 100,000 validators are now staking on it, showing significant demand to test the new Proof of Stake ethereum blockchain which is expected to go out imminently.
Named Pyrmont, the testnet may continue being of use even after the live launch, but especially now as people get ready to stake the real thing.
113,248 eth has been deposited to stake on the live network, a sufficient number according to devs who have stated they will wait until January if the minimum is not met, and then just launch by removing the minimum requirement.
Expectations are high the minimum of ◊524,288 will be met this weekend or by Monday, in which case the genesis block will go out on December first.
Speculation remains people are just waiting to deposit closer to the 24th of November, although if they’ve decided to stake then what difference does a few days make.
They may want to test and test this thing though, as devs have done with a Medalla full testnet, two dry runs, and now another new full testnet which launched without any problems of any kind.
That should alleviate some concerns people may have had in regards to how the live launch may go as it has just been tested.
So we should hopefully start seeing deposits picking up because all seems good to go now without any risk in regards to these deposited eth being burned or anything like that as the minimum will just be removed if it is not met because it’s good to go even with the current level of deposits.
Who wants to wait until January though and miss all the Christmas jokes about stake, so hopefully others join the Arab whale and get this thing going.
On that note it’s not clear whether the stake from Bitcoin Suisse has come to the plate yet.
Gotta give it to them though, hardly a better way to gain market share than being the only provider as others wait on the sideline while some ethereans may well need the service especially if they’re playing with real money.
