Timothy Morano
Feb 20, 2026 16:37
Celestia’s Hibiscus upgrade adds zero-knowledge proof verification and single-signature transfers via Hyperlane, targeting mid-March mainnet launch.
Celestia’s seventh major upgrade, dubbed Hibiscus, will hit mainnet in mid-March with two significant interoperability features: zero-knowledge proof verification for cross-chain messages and streamlined single-signature token transfers through Hyperlane integration.
The upgrade is already live on Celestia’s arabica testnet, with mocha testnet deployment imminent.
What Hibiscus Actually Changes
The headline feature is CIP-46, a ZK Interchain Security Module that lets networks verify cross-chain messages using cryptographic proofs instead of trusted multisig validators. The module uses Groth16 verification and supports SP1 prover programs, with plans to add other ZKVMs like Risc0.
For high-value transfers, this matters. Multisigs are fast but require trusting a committee. The ZK option trades speed for mathematical certainty—higher latency and proof generation costs, but no trust assumptions beyond the cryptography itself.
CIP-45 tackles a different friction point: multi-hop token transfers. Currently, moving tokens through Celestia to another chain requires multiple signatures. The new forwarding module creates deterministic addresses that cryptographically bind to specific destinations. Send tokens there, and permissionless relayers handle the rest. Think of it as bringing IBC’s Packet Forward Middleware convenience to Hyperlane routes.
Validator Economics Get an Overhaul
Less flashy but potentially more consequential for network security: CIP-44 raises the maximum validator commission from 25% to 60% and bumps the minimum from 10% to 20%. Validators currently below 20% will be automatically migrated during the upgrade.
The rationale ties back to Celestia’s previous upgrade, which reduced protocol inflation. Lower inflation means validators need other revenue sources to stay profitable. Wider commission bands give them flexibility to find sustainable business models without racing to the bottom on fees.
Node Operators Get Relief
Consensus nodes can now prune blocks more aggressively—down to 3,000 blocks (roughly five hours) from the previous 14-day minimum. That’s a meaningful reduction in storage requirements for operators who don’t need historical data.
Timeline and Trading Implications
With arabica live and mocha upgrading now, the mid-March mainnet target looks achievable. The upgrade positions Celestia more competitively against other data availability layers by addressing a real criticism: that sovereign rollups on Celestia have historically felt disconnected from each other.
Whether the ZK ISM sees meaningful adoption depends on demand from high-value applications willing to accept the latency tradeoff. The forwarding module should see faster uptake—it’s pure UX improvement with no downsides for standard transfers.
Teams building on Celestia should test integrations on mocha before mainnet deployment. Those running validators need to review commission settings before the automatic migration kicks in.
Image source: Shutterstock
