The Ethereum Foundation has announced the launch of the Mekong testnet. This new test network aims to allow developers to explore user experience (UX) changes and familiarize themselves with upcoming updates in Ethereum’s Praha-Electra (or “Pectra”) upgrade.

This testnet will operate only for a short period and will include the full set of Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) planned for Pectra.

Tim Beiko, protocol support lead at the Ethereum Foundation, described this short-term testnet as a “pre-Devcon gift,” referring to the upcoming Devcon Conference in Bangkok. The name “Mekong” is a tribute to the Mekong River, which flows through Southeast Asian countries.

The Ethereum Foundation emphasized that Mekong will not impact the mainnet or other Ethereum testnets such as Holesky or Sepolia. Instead, the trials on Mekong will contribute to shaping the Pectra upgrade deployment on other Ethereum networks.

Although Mekong is only a temporary testnet, it will provide developers with the opportunity to explore upcoming upgrades, helping them better prepare for the significant changes approaching the Ethereum ecosystem.