Injective Proposes Vulcan Mainnet Upgrade for June 4, Targeting 90% Reduction in Oracle Gas Fees

Injective (INJ) has put forward a governance proposal for its Vulcan mainnet upgrade, now in the voting phase, with the network upgrade (version 1.20.0) scheduled for June 4. The update is designed to introduce a next-generation oracle engine that promises to reduce oracle gas fees by 90% while integrating Pyth Pro and SEDA oracles.

What the Vulcan Upgrade Brings

The Vulcan upgrade focuses on enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of Injective’s oracle infrastructure. By slashing oracle gas fees by an estimated 90%, the update aims to lower operational costs for developers and users relying on price feeds and external data. The new engine will natively support Pyth Pro and SEDA oracles, two leading decentralized oracle networks known for high-frequency data and cross-chain compatibility.

Additionally, the upgrade introduces a precompile feature that provides integrated oracle functionality directly to Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) smart contracts. This means developers building on Injective’s EVM-compatible layer can access real-time oracle data without complex middleware, streamlining dApp development and improving performance.

Implications for the Injective Ecosystem

If approved by INJ token holders, the Vulcan upgrade could significantly reduce transaction costs for DeFi applications, derivatives markets, and cross-chain bridges on Injective. Lower gas fees are expected to attract more developers and users, particularly in high-frequency trading and lending protocols where oracle updates are frequent.

The integration of Pyth Pro and SEDA also strengthens Injective’s position as a blockchain optimized for financial applications. Pyth Pro offers sub-second price updates from institutional-grade sources, while SEDA provides customizable data feeds for various asset classes. Together, they expand the range of reliable data available to smart contracts.

Governance and Timeline

The proposal is currently live and open for voting by INJ stakers. If passed, the upgrade will be activated on June 4, 2025, at a specific block height to be announced. Users and node operators will need to update their software to version 1.20.0 ahead of the scheduled fork. No chain downtime is expected, though users should be aware of the upgrade window.

Why This Matters

Oracle costs have long been a bottleneck for blockchain networks, especially those supporting complex financial products. By addressing this issue head-on, Injective is positioning itself as a more scalable and developer-friendly platform. The Vulcan upgrade also highlights a broader trend in the crypto space: optimizing infrastructure to support real-world financial use cases at lower cost.

For INJ holders and ecosystem participants, the vote represents a strategic decision on the network’s future direction. A successful upgrade could enhance Injective’s competitiveness against other Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks focused on DeFi.

Conclusion

Injective’s Vulcan mainnet upgrade proposal marks a significant step toward reducing oracle-related costs and improving developer experience. With a 90% reduction in gas fees, integration of leading oracle providers, and native EVM support, the upgrade could strengthen the network’s utility for decentralized finance. The outcome of the governance vote will determine whether these improvements go live on June 4.

FAQs

Q1: What is the Vulcan upgrade on Injective?
The Vulcan upgrade (v1.20.0) is a proposed mainnet update that introduces a new oracle engine, reduces oracle gas fees by 90%, and integrates Pyth Pro and SEDA oracles. It also adds a precompile for EVM smart contracts to access oracle data directly.

Q2: When is the Vulcan upgrade scheduled?
The upgrade is proposed for June 4, 2025, pending approval by INJ token holders through a governance vote.

Q3: How will the Vulcan upgrade affect INJ gas fees?
The upgrade is designed to cut oracle gas fees by approximately 90%, lowering costs for developers and users who rely on price feeds and external data for their transactions and smart contracts.