A protocol update to implement the new Concordium BFT consensus protocol and to extends smart contract functionality will take effect on testnet on August 21, 2023.
New node software compliant with the protocol update is released for Linux, Windows, and MacOS here. New versions of concordium-client, cargo-concordium, smart contract libraries and wallets will be released as well.
Node runners must upgrade their nodes before the new protocol takes effect. Old nodes will stop processing new blocks at that point.
For more details on the protocol update, see concordium-update-proposals.
The node release and protocol update on testnet are in preparation of a similar node release and protocol update on mainnet, which are planned for September 11 and 25, respectively.