KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The Cronos Mainnet will undergo a major upgrade called ‘Smarturn’ to enhance the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).
- Key improvements include smart accounts, new opcodes, and better interoperability with the Inter-Blockchain Communication protocol.
- The upgrade will cause a 30-minute network downtime, affecting all Cronos EVM services.
- Node operators must upgrade to cronosd binary version ‘v1.5.1’ at block height 38432212 to maintain synchronization.
The Cronos Mainnet is set to undergo a significant upgrade, known as ‘Smarturn,’ which will introduce major improvements across the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). This upgrade will include enhancements such as smart accounts, new opcodes, updates to the Ethereum client, and increased interoperability with the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol. Additionally, several core performance enhancements are expected.
The upgrade is scheduled to occur at block height 38432212, anticipated around Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 7 AM GMT (3 PM HKT/SGT). The exact timing will depend on the progress of block production. More details on the estimated time can be found here.
Network Downtime and User Impact
During the upgrade, the network is expected to experience downtime of approximately 30 minutes. This will affect all Cronos EVM services, including the mainnet network, public RPCs, Explorer, and the Cronos bridge. These services will be paused and will resume once the upgrade is completed.
End users should note that the chain will be upgraded at the specified block height. After reaching this block, all node operators will need to upgrade their node binary to maintain synchronization with the chain. The chain will temporarily pause and then resume, with all data preserved, once the majority of validators have completed their upgrades.
Instructions for Node Operators
Node operators are required to upgrade their systems at the block height of 38432212. It is crucial to follow the instructions and upgrade to the latest cronosd binary version ‘v1.5.1’ to keep the nodes in sync with the chain. Operators are advised not to upgrade to binary v1.5.* before the target upgrade block, as it will be incompatible.
For any questions or comments regarding this upgrade, node operators and other stakeholders are encouraged to reach out via the #cronos-mainnet channel on the Cronos Discord server.
Why This Matters: Impact, Industry Trends & Expert Insights
The Cronos Mainnet ‘Smarturn’ upgrade is set to introduce significant improvements to the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), including smart accounts, new opcodes, and enhanced interoperability with the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol.
Recent industry reports indicate that advancements in the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol are enhancing scalability and cross-chain capabilities. These improvements are crucial as the Cronos upgrade aims to align with these trends by increasing interoperability with IBC, potentially broadening its ecosystem reach.
A MEXC report highlights that the ‘Smarturn’ upgrade will introduce smart accounts via EIP-7702, which enhance flexibility and functionality for decentralized applications. This supports the anticipated impact of the upgrade by potentially attracting more developers and users to the Cronos ecosystem.
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