On February 27, Rocket Pool released Smartnode upgrade 1.11.8. This update is essential for all users, facilitating the Deneb/Cancun ("Dencun") Mainnet upgrade on March 13, 2024, at 01:55:35 PM UTC. With the integration of blobs (EIP-4844) in Dencun, each node may require up to 103 GiB of additional disk space, averaging around 50 GiB. All clients are now Dencun-compatible, boasting enhancements and bug fixes.

0xFornax, a dedicated and long-standing community member, has officially joined the Rocket Pool team! 0xFornax's addition brings not only Golang expertise but also a wealth of insights and skills to the table. In his new role, he will be immersing himself in various aspects of the protocol and contributing to the development of the smart node stack. The Rocket Pool team continues to grow stronger and more vibrant, thanks to the valuable contributions of individuals like 0xFornax. A POAP was gifted to those who celebrate this exciting addition to the Rocket Pool team.