Taiko Launches Hoodi Testnet with Preconfirmations
Taiko launched its new Hoodi testnet on September 25, replacing the Hekla testnet which will sunset on September 30. The Layer 2 rollup uses Alethia and introduces preconfirmations to speed transaction testing and simulate mainnet conditions. Integration with Ethereum’s validator and staking infrastructure ensures compatibility, while Taiko’s bridge and faucet tools grant easy access. Developers must migrate assets from Hekla by September 30 to avoid disruptions.
The Hoodi testnet targets Ethereum scalability by boosting throughput, lowering latency, and reducing gas fees. Its underlying Layer 1 network will remain active until 2028, offering long-term stability for infrastructure providers and staking operators. Taiko’s roadmap includes a Q4 2025 Shasta hard fork and a Gwyneth testnet launch, aiming for fee cuts, lower transaction costs and a full shift to zero-knowledge proofs. Mainnet preconfirmations are also scheduled later this year. Traders should monitor adoption rates and on-chain metrics, as the upgrade may influence gas markets and dApp performance.
Neutral
Since Hoodi is a testnet upgrade, it primarily affects developers and infrastructure providers rather than direct market supply or demand for ETH or Taiko’s token. In the short term, the announcement may boost developer confidence and positive sentiment, but it does not alter token economics or immediate on-chain activity. Over the long term, successful testnet performance and features like preconfirmations could strengthen Taiko’s value proposition and drive higher network adoption. However, until mainnet deployment and widespread use, the news is unlikely to move market prices significantly, resulting in a neutral impact.