Zircuit Unveils Garfield Testnet with Cancun and Pectra Support, Boosted Prover Efficiency

Zircuit is setting the stage for a significant leap in Ethereum scaling with the launch of its Garfield testnet, arriving the week of February 24, 2025. This new testnet integrates full support for Cancun opcodes, prepares for the upcoming Pectra upgrade, and introduces a powerful prover for faster block validation. With these enhancements, Zircuit is laying the groundwork for a smoother transition to the next phase of Ethereum’s evolution.

Garfield Testnet Brings Cancun and Pectra Upgrades to Developers

Garfield isn’t just another testnet—it’s a proving ground for the future of Ethereum Layer 2 scaling. With the Pectra update on the horizon, Zircuit’s latest testnet ensures developers can seamlessly transition to the new standard.

• Full Cancun Opcode Support – The testnet fully integrates the latest Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) updates, allowing developers to build and test applications with the newest enhancements.
• Pectra-Ready Infrastructure – Once Pectra activates on Ethereum, Garfield is already structured to accommodate the upgrade with minimal friction.
• Enhanced Prover Performance – A more efficient prover now validates all blocks, significantly improving speed and scalability.
• Proving Cluster Optimization – This testnet enables rigorous testing of Zircuit’s proving infrastructure, ensuring peak performance.
• EIP-7702 Readiness – While full support isn’t available at launch, the testnet is prepped for an upcoming update to include EIP-7702.

One thing is clear—Garfield is built for the next generation of Ethereum scaling.

New Network, Fresh Configurations for Developers

Developers looking to work with Garfield will need to make some adjustments. Since this is an entirely new network with no prior testnet history, fresh configurations are required.

Here are the critical details:

Before launch, all relevant setup details will be published in Zircuit’s official documentation. Developers are advised to update their configurations accordingly to ensure a smooth transition.

Sunset Plan: Current Testnet to Be Retired in May 2025

The existing Zircuit testnet won’t be around forever. It’s set to sunset on May 31, 2025. That means users must withdraw any Sepolia ETH or testnet assets before this date.

For those unable to move their assets in time, an escape hatch feature will be activated, allowing withdrawals even after the sunset date. This ensures no assets are permanently lost due to the transition.

Garfield Updates Headed for Zircuit Mainnet Soon

The Garfield testnet isn’t just a side experiment—it’s a preview of what’s coming to the Zircuit mainnet in March 2025. When these upgrades roll out, users won’t have to worry about downtime or manual migrations. The transition will be seamless, keeping the network stable while integrating Pectra compatibility.

Major Enhancements Coming to Zircuit Mainnet

Zircuit isn’t stopping at testnet improvements. The mainnet itself is getting several upgrades, further refining the user and developer experience.

• Faster, More Reliable RPC Endpoints – A high-speed, low-latency RPC service will boost stability. Existing endpoints will remain active, but users are encouraged to migrate.
• Improved Block Explorer – Thanks to Sourcify integration, smart contract verification will be easier and more transparent.
• Upgraded Bridge Experience – The withdrawal process is getting streamlined, with additional enhancements planned to improve efficiency.
• Escape Hatch Deployment – A decentralized escape hatch will be connected to Testnet 1.0 before its sunset, ensuring users can always withdraw assets without relying on the sequencer. The mainnet will follow with this functionality after testing.

What’s Next for Zircuit?

With Garfield, developers can experiment with the latest Ethereum enhancements before they hit the mainnet. Meanwhile, users will benefit from a faster, more efficient infrastructure that ensures uninterrupted service.

More details on EIP-7702 integration and prover optimizations are expected soon. For real-time updates, Zircuit encourages users to follow @ZircuitL2 on X or join their Discord community.