TL;DR
- Block production for Babylon Phase 2 begins on January 8, 2025, marking a key milestone in its development.
- The new staking platform will allow users to register their Phase 1 stakes into Phase 2 starting at 10 AM UTC.
- Phase 2 will focus on testing Babylon’s PoS chain and integrating Signet Bitcoin stakes, with the participation of validators and decentralized app (dApp) developers.
On January 8, 2025, Babylon will reach an important milestone with the launch of its Phase 2 testnet, a key step toward strengthening its blockchain. This event will allow for testing new technological advancements and offer new opportunities for users and developers eager to be part of the future of this innovative network.
Key Dates and New Participation Tools
Starting at 9 AM UTC on January 8, block production on the testnet will begin, at which point validators and finality providers can start registering. At 10 AM UTC, the new staking web app will be enabled, allowing users to register their Phase 1 stakes into the new Babylon Phase 2 chain. The original staking app will remain active until 8:30 AM UTC for users to monitor their previous stakes.
Network Advancements and Global Participation
The main goal of Babylon Phase 2’s testnet is to test the proof-of-stake (PoS) chain, which will be secured by Signet Bitcoin and Babylon stakes. This phase will focus on two main aspects: ensuring a smooth integration of existing Phase 1 Signet Bitcoin stakes and validating the operational stability of the network with the participation of key players, such as validators, finality providers, and decentralized app (dApp) developers.
Participants will have the chance to experiment with smart contracts in a secure and permissionless environment, thanks to the use of CosmWasm, enabling them to explore new possibilities within the network. This testnet will serve as a testing ground for emerging technologies such as liquid staking and re-staking protocols, increasing blockchain security.
The testnet will not only test the network’s capabilities but will also be a meeting point for developers looking to experiment with new blockchain solutions. Babylon invites all participants, including Signet Bitcoin stakers and dApp developers, to join in this process of innovation. The network will continue to evolve and improve its infrastructure to offer a more robust experience.
It’s important to note that, since this is a testnet, the tokens used will be test tokens, with no real incentives for participants, ensuring the phase remains within a controlled and experimental environment.
