Ethereum developers need to switch their testnet infrastructure: Ropsten testnet already offline

The Ethereum ecosystem is experiencing a significant upheaval in its test infrastructure. The Ropsten testnet, one of the oldest test networks on the platform, was officially shut down on December 31, 2022. The Ethereum Foundation announced this measure on November 30, confirming the gradual withdrawal of infrastructure providers and validators from the network.

Why the Ropsten Testnet was shut down

In the months leading up to the official termination, clear signs of the decline of the old test network became evident. Several key infrastructure providers had already ceased support, causing network activity to steadily decrease. Tim Beiko, a leading Ethereum developer, confirmed the phased shutdown on Twitter and expected full decommissioning between mid and late December. The withdrawal of validating nodes was inevitable after the community had already shifted their activities to alternative testnets.

Which alternatives developers should use

While the Ropsten testnet is a thing of the past, Ethereum offers developers concrete alternatives. The Rinkeby testnet will continue to operate until mid-2023 before being phased out as well. Target platforms include Goerli and Sepolia—both networks that meet newer technical standards and already enjoy stronger community support.

The discontinuation of these older test networks marks a turning point in Ethereum’s development strategy. It aligns with the plan to modernize the test infrastructure and provide developers with sufficient transition periods. As early as October 2022, Etherscan, a leading blockchain explorer, ceased technical support for both outdated networks—foreshadowing their upcoming shutdown.

New standards for the future of test networks

The Ethereum community is using this transition to fundamentally rethink the structure of test networks. Discussions about separating dedicated staker and developer networks, as well as establishing lifecycle standards for testnets, are ongoing on Ethereum Magicians and in community calls. The goal is to better coordinate future transitions and improve network stability.

For developers, this means clear action requirements: a timely migration of applications to Goerli or Sepolia is necessary to avoid delays in the testing phase. The transition away from the Ropsten testnet is not only a technical event but also a catalyst for a more mature testnet infrastructure.