Bitcoin TLDR

#78

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Summary

Apr 28 - May 4, 2025

Our weekly newsletter is focused on keeping you updated on what's new in Bitcoin, and summarizes the bitcoin-dev, lightning-dev and delving bitcoin mailing lists

Anthony Towns highlighted a pivotal update in the Bitcoin network where the mempoolfullrbf default setting was changed in version 28.0, marking a significant shift that could influence network operations and user experiences, given the considerable adoption rate of this version. This change prompts a closer examination of its implications on transaction dynamics and support requirements source.

Antoine Poinsot alerted the community to a security advisory addressing a low-severity issue in Bitcoin Core versions prior to 29.0, underscoring the importance of adhering to updated security practices and the project’s transparent disclosure policy. This advisory, along with the detailed security disclosure policy, is essential for maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of the software source.

Matthew Zipkin suggested improvements to the Bitcoin development process by proposing an intermediary step involving GitHub "discussions" to bridge the gap between mailing list discourse and pull request reviews, aiming to enhance community engagement and feedback quality. This approach seeks to mitigate disenfranchisement felt by community members not involved in initial discussions and to streamline the review process for policy changes source.

Victor K of StarkWare introduced ColliderVM, a protocol enabling stateful computation on the Bitcoin network, facilitating a broader range of functionalities including smart contracts and layer two bridges without relying on fraud proofs. This development marks a significant leap towards enhancing Bitcoin's computational capabilities and operational efficiency, offering a glimpse into future applications that extend beyond the current scope of Bitcoin script source.

Active Discussions

Relax OP_RETURN standardness restrictions

42 replies

By PandaCute

Involving Sjors Provoost, Peter Todd+18 others

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Original post on April 17, 2025 18:52 UTC

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Last reply on May 14, 2025 15:54 UTC

bitcoin-dev

  • The proposal to remove OP_Return restrictions in Bitcoin reveals deep divides between developers and users.

  • Critics argue the change lacks transparency and deviates from Bitcoin's norm of careful scrutiny.

  • A push for developer engagement with the community highlights the need for transparency and collaboration.

Unbreaking testnet4

23 replies

By Jameson Lopp

Involving Saint Wenhao, Sjors Provoost+7 others

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Original post on March 18, 2025 14:29 UTC

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Last reply on May 12, 2025 20:19 UTC

bitcoin-dev

  • Signet differs from testnets by not focusing on free, easy coin access for developers.

  • Introducing an "end of life date" for testnets could improve network management and relevance.

  • Suggests replacing "reset" with "abandon" to better describe testnet operational changes.

SwiftSync - smarter synchronization with hints

15 replies

By Greg Maxwell

Involving Ruben Somsen, Saint Wenhao+3 others

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Original post on April 9, 2025 10:10 UTC

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Last reply on May 4, 2025 01:06 UTC

bitcoin-dev

  • Ruben Somsen's method enhances performance while maintaining security, allowing flexibility with updates.

  • The scheme's efficiency benefits significantly from innovative hashing techniques, including potential doubling of hashing performance.

  • It optimizes storage and memory through management of false positives and employing ribbon filters for space efficiency.

The Tragic Tale of BIP30

9 replies

By eric

Involving Ruben Somsen, Sjors Provoost+2 others

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Original post on April 27, 2025 16:45 UTC

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Last reply on May 10, 2025 16:55 UTC

bitcoin-dev

  • Eric discusses Bitcoin's handling of chain splits and the impact of removing 14 checkpoints.

  • He highlights an inconsistency in addressing chain splits, like the BIP30 issue.

  • Eric calls for a unified stance on managing past and future chain splits in the community.

DahLIAS: Discrete Logarithm-Based Interactive Aggregate Signatures

8 replies

By Jonas Nick

Involving waxwing/ AdamISZ

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Original post on April 17, 2025 16:27 UTC

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Last reply on April 30, 2025 15:54 UTC

bitcoin-dev

  • The email discusses the inclusion of a zero-knowledge proof in a signature scheme.

  • It highlights potential security vulnerabilities in the DahLIAS scheme.

  • The email also examines strategies for optimizing single-party signing processes.

Introducing Hourglass

7 replies

By Agustin Cruz

Involving Hunter Beast, Francis Pouliot+4 others

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Original post on April 29, 2025 22:38 UTC

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Last reply on May 4, 2025 06:00 UTC

bitcoin-dev

  • Saint Wenhao highlights quantum threats to cryptocurrency, prompting the QRAMP for safer transactions.

  • QRAMP aims to transition assets to quantum-resistant addresses, invalidating unmoved coins.

  • The proposal sets a firm deadline to protect cryptocurrencies from quantum-capable attackers effectively.

Standard Unstructured Annex

6 replies

By Russell OConnor

Involving Peter Todd, Antoine Riard

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Original post on March 20, 2025 00:27 UTC

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Last reply on April 29, 2025 02:59 UTC

bitcoin-dev

  • The email discusses concerns about the effectiveness of annexes in preventing transaction pinning attacks.

  • It indicates that simply adding an annex to each input may not stop parties from broadcasting heavier transactions.

  • The query highlights the need for understanding recent Bitcoin protocol enhancements and their impact on transaction pinning.

Re: Against Allowing Quantum Recovery of Bitcoin

6 replies

By Michael Tidwell

Involving Matt Corallo, Ben Sigman+3 others

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Original post on March 25, 2025 01:06 UTC

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Last reply on April 30, 2025 15:40 UTC

bitcoin-dev

  • Michael Tidwell discusses formulating post-quantum cryptography for Bitcoin to enhance security.

  • A new taproot version is preferred for public visibility of PQC-secured coins and user clarity.

  • Implementing PQC requires more resources, suggesting cautious approach to incentivizing its use.

Removing checkpoints in Bitcoin Core v30

2 replies

By eric

Involving Sjors Provoost

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Original post on April 28, 2025 11:34 UTC

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Last reply on May 2, 2025 21:16 UTC

bitcoin-dev

  • Eric discusses "Assumed Valid Blocks" in Bitcoin, enhancing Initial Block Download by skipping signature validation.

  • He questions the efficacy of removing existing mechanisms, like checkpoints, for performance improvement in Bitcoin.

  • Eric underscores the minimal impact of such mechanisms on sync times, advocating for a nuanced evaluation of their necessity and security.

BIP Proposal: Define Bitcoin Subunits as Satoshis/Sats

2 replies

By Jakub Szwedo

Involving Lucas André, OceanSlim

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Original post on April 29, 2025 12:18 UTC

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Last reply on May 2, 2025 20:54 UTC

bitcoin-dev

  • Bitcoin Improvement Proposals could be enhanced by adding accessibility features.

  • Lucas supports this with an open-source guide from the Bitcoin Design community.

  • The guide focuses on making BIPs more user-friendly to boost cryptocurrency adoption.

CTV+CSFS: Can we reach consensus on a first step towards covenants?

56 replies

By securitybrahh

Involving instagibbs, jamesob+11 others

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Original post on March 10, 2025 22:58 UTC

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Last reply on May 8, 2025 07:23 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • The discussion compares CTV and CAT opcodes in programming, focusing on security risks.

  • Historical instances of opcode adjustments are mentioned, emphasizing cautious protocol modification.

  • References to Gödel's theorems highlight the balance between innovation and system stability.

How CTV+CSFS improves BitVM bridges

20 replies

By instagibbs

Involving JeremyRubin, ajtowns+6 others

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Original post on April 10, 2025 14:28 UTC

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Last reply on April 29, 2025 18:10 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • The GitHub pull request offers major improvements to cryptocurrency functionality.

  • It introduces a flexible transaction approach, enhancing Bitcoin's protocol.

  • This advancement allows for customized and secure transaction management.

The path to general computation on Bitcoin (with OP_CAT)

7 replies

By moonsettler

Involving victorkstarkware, Laz1m0v

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Original post on August 29, 2024 11:21 UTC

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Last reply on April 29, 2025 11:11 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • The conversation examines PAIRCOMMIT with a 4-byte element storage strategy and its impact on M31 field.

  • It discusses CAT's role in simplifying CTV hash construction and facilitating SPLIT operations.

  • The dialogue identifies limitations in LNhance technology and explores advancements in CSFS and CTV for better data management.

SwiftSync -- Speeding up IBD with pre-generated hints (PoC)

5 replies

By gmaxwell

Involving RubenSomsen, l0rinc+1 other

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Original post on April 9, 2025 10:30 UTC

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Last reply on May 3, 2025 14:06 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • Using a simple xor aggregator poses risks for subset sum attacks in cryptographic security.

  • The adoption of SHA256 is advocated to enhance security and prevent vulnerabilities.

  • Efficient validation and leveraging advanced cryptographic solutions are crucial for blockchain integrity.

Behind the OP_RETURN Drama

4 replies

By 1440000bytes

Involving gmaxwell, pandacute+1 other

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Original post on May 2, 2025 08:33 UTC

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Last reply on May 3, 2025 17:07 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • Bitcoin Core validates the entire blockchain, crucial for the Bitcoin network's stability.

  • It offers wallet functionality and transaction verification for users, while enabling contributors to enhance the software.

  • The collaborative development process ensures high standards for quality and security in innovations.

Avoiding xpub+derivation reuse across wallets, in a UX-friendly manner

4 replies

By salvatoshi

Involving benk10, kloaec

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Original post on April 29, 2025 17:54 UTC

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Last reply on May 7, 2025 16:01 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • The discussion advocates for keeping `coin_type'` in key hierarchies for better security.

  • Concerns are raised about user experience challenges with hardware wallets due to ransom attacks.

  • A novel backup solution using small storage providers for dynamic information is proposed.

Implemented Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Feature into Bitcoin Core!

4 replies

By cryptoquick

Involving QbitsCode

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Original post on December 13, 2024 10:57 UTC

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Last reply on April 29, 2025 23:42 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • The lack of standardization for SQIsign poses significant integration challenges.

  • Slow verification times for SQIsign impact system performance and user experience negatively.

  • Removing SQIsign from BIP-360 aims to improve protocol efficiency and reliability.

Spanning-forest cluster linearization

4 replies

By sipa

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Original post on February 5, 2025 01:08 UTC

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Last reply on May 12, 2025 21:42 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • Optimizing transaction fairness and efficiency involves evaluating split operations' impact on network performance.

  • Approaches include selecting the highest $q()$ value, using round-robin methods, and distributing work evenly among transactions.

  • Incorporating randomness into transaction processing aims to prevent deterministic exploitation and enhance security.

Op_inout_amount

3 replies

By Chris_Stewart_5

Involving halseth

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Original post on February 12, 2024 15:05 UTC

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Last reply on May 8, 2025 19:41 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • The case study OP_VAULT explores enhancing Script opcodes for better transaction amount locks.

  • It proposes 64-bit arithmetic and `OP_INOUT_AMOUNT` for direct transaction condition enforcement.

  • These advancements aim to simplify Script's transaction verification and improve developer ergonomics.

OP_RETURN limits: Pros and Cons

2 replies

By 1440000bytes

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Original post on May 1, 2025 09:21 UTC

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Last reply on May 12, 2025 19:16 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • Warren Togami offers a novel solution to a problem, detailed at a provided link.

  • Togami's proposal invites critique and further discussion, enhancing collective knowledge.

  • Open sharing of insights promotes progress and innovation across disciplines.

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