- Hedera Hashgraph is set to phase out hethers.js in favor of Ethereum-compatible development tools.
- This transition underscores Hedera’s goal to simplify its development process and better align with EVM standards.
Transitioning for the Future: Hedera’s Strategic Move Towards EVM Equivalence
One of the blockchain industry’s frontrunners, Hedera Hashgraph, has recently made waves with its announcement to deprecate the hethers.js library. This strategic decision reflects Hedera’s overarching goal: to create a unified and user-centric development experience. By phasing out hethers.js, Hedera is taking a decisive step towards compatibility with Ethereum’s Virtual Machine (EVM).
🚀 Embrace the future of #web3 development with Hedera! 💪 Deprecating Hethers.js to welcome seamless integration with native EVM tooling like ethers.js and web3.js. It's all about making your development journey smoother! 🌐🔗 #Ethereum #Blockchain #Innovation https://t.co/pRkBIggqY9
— Collin Brown (@CollinBrownXRP) October 5, 2023
Deprecation Announcement By Hedera
The rationale behind this deprecation is rooted in Hedera’s ambition to achieve EVM equivalence. In layman’s terms, EVM serves as the runtime environment for executing smart contracts on the Ethereum platform. Aligning closely with EVM not only simplifies the development process but also eliminates redundancy.
The emphasis on EVM compatibility will grant developers the flexibility to utilize prevalent EVM tools such as ethers.js and web3.js. These tools, combined with Hedera’s JSON-RPC Relay feature, will streamline the deployment and interaction process with Hedera’s smart contracts. This integration signifies that Ethereum developers can now effortlessly pivot to Hedera’s platform.
For those who have integrated hethers.js into their projects, Hedera strongly advises a switch to either ethers.js, web3.js, or other EVM-compatible tools ahead of the scheduled deprecation. Comprehensive guidelines and tutorials are accessible via Hedera’s official documentation, ensuring a seamless transition.
While hethers.js will still be available on GitHub for posterity, it’s crucial to note that following the deprecation date, it won’t receive any official updates or support. For queries or feedback, developers are directed to Hedera’s Discord feedback channel, where a dedicated team stands ready to facilitate the transition.
Market Implications and Beyond
In the wake of this announcement, Hedera’s market metrics indicated some fluctuations, with its price dipping by 0.96% to $0.04829 and its market cap witnessing a 0.95% decline. Meanwhile, in related news from September, Hedera unveiled its “Stablecoin Studio,” an open-source toolkit designed to offer comprehensive stablecoin solutions for Web3 platforms and enterprises.
Lastly, developers are reminded of the imminent hethers.js transition deadline on October 20, 2023. Beyond this date, hethers.js will be consigned to the annals of history, devoid of updates and official support. Hedera’s recalibration of its toolset attests to its dedication to fostering a more streamlined, efficient, and developer-friendly environment on its blockchain.