Bitcoin TLDR

#117

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Summary

Feb 16 - Feb 22, 2026

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

Greg Sanders, Steven Roose, and others have significantly advanced Bitcoin's scripting capabilities, culminating in the implementation of new scripting primitives into Miniscript and Partially Signed Bitcoin Transactions (PSBTs) for enhanced transactional flexibility and security. These developments, including the introduction of template hash checks and rebindable signatures, address the need for nuanced handling of signatures and transaction verification within Bitcoin's evolving framework, as detailed in their proof-of-concept.

The VTXO ecosystem's evolution towards a Stateless VTXO Verification model aims to mitigate the "Verification Gap" and "Implementation-Coupled Custody" issues by enabling independent auditability and security in hardware wallets, with efforts towards standardizing VTXO representation and enhancing verification processes highlighted in the stateless verifier project on GitHub.

The long-term security of Bitcoin against quantum computing threats is explored through potential cryptographic upgrades, including hybrid signature validation models and the introduction of quantum-resistant addresses, with a focus on economic and technical considerations for a phased migration to post-quantum cryptography as outlined in the discussion on DelvingBitcoin.org.

In contrast, concerns about the quality of blockchain technology education in India, specifically within engineering programs, emphasize the need for curriculum improvements and collaborations with organizations like Chaincode Labs to better align educational content with global standards and advancements in blockchain technology, as discussed in an archived dialogue. Concurrently, the UltrafastSecp256k1 project aims to enhance ECC performance across various platforms, inviting community feedback on its "Zero-Allocation" design and optimizations for different architectures, as detailed in its introduction on DelvingBitcoin.org.

Active Discussions

Algorithm Agility for Bitcoin to maintain security in the face of quantum and classic breaks in the signature algorithms

28 replies

By conduition

Involving Ethan Heilman, Matt Corallo+6 others

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Original post on February 9, 2026 14:20 UTC

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Last reply on February 19, 2026 14:35 UTC

bitcoin-dev

  • The discussion focused on commit/reveal schemes using OP_TXHASH for bitcoin transactions.

  • Erik's protocol for a quantum-resistant method was debated due to inherent contradictions.

  • The complexity of creating quantum-resistant mechanisms for bitcoin highlights significant challenges.

The limitations of cryptographic agility in Bitcoin

11 replies

By sadiq Ismail

Involving Light, Pieter Wuille+6 others

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Original post on February 13, 2026 16:20 UTC

cyclic icon

Last reply on February 19, 2026 07:22 UTC

bitcoin-dev

  • Secp256k1, crucial for Bitcoin, is secure yet vulnerable to advanced quantum threats.

  • It remains secure as no current algorithm can efficiently breach it, despite quantum concerns.

  • Practical vulnerabilities, like centralized custodian risks, highlight the complexity of cryptographic security.

Hourglass V2 Update

5 replies

By Jameson Lopp

Involving Mike Casey, Alex+2 others

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Original post on February 10, 2026 20:47 UTC

cyclic icon

Last reply on February 19, 2026 03:26 UTC

bitcoin-dev

  • Bitcoin's security relies on user consensus and collective action to prevent UTXO theft.

  • Hourglass V2 is viewed as a better solution with calls for empirical data to set block rewards.

  • A proposal introduces Zero-Knowledge proofs to protect Bitcoin against quantum computing threats.

BIP-352: Limiting the number of per-group recipients (K_max)

1 reply

By Sebastian Falbesoner

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Original post on February 4, 2026 17:20 UTC

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Last reply on February 19, 2026 20:39 UTC

bitcoin-dev

  • Significant progress on the secp256k1 issue has been made with consensus on the K_max change.

  • A new Pull Request in the BIPs repository marks a pivotal step for Bitcoin's infrastructure enhancement.

  • The community is encouraged to join the BIPs discussion, highlighting a collaborative improvement effort.

How to linearize your cluster

79 replies

By sipa

Involving stefanwouldgo, Lagrang3+7 others

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Original post on December 20, 2023 03:59 UTC

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Last reply on February 22, 2026 15:11 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • The recent Bitcoin Core updates integrate Simplified Fee Logic, enhancing transaction efficiency.

  • Three critical pull requests have been merged, marking significant development progress.

  • The SFL integration prepares for the upcoming 31.0 release, promising platform improvements.

Disposing of "dust attack" UTXOs

18 replies

By harris

Involving bubb1es, andrewtoth+6 others

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Original post on January 25, 2026 17:20 UTC

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Last reply on February 20, 2026 05:54 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • The sender commits to reviewing and testing the project for collaborative improvement.

  • An update will follow the sender's examination of the project.

  • The message highlights teamwork and effective communication as key to project success.

The future of the Bitcoin Core GUI

16 replies

By redundant

Involving AntoineP, adys+7 others

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Original post on February 13, 2026 15:04 UTC

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Last reply on February 22, 2026 13:52 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • The proposal suggests making the Bitcoin Core GUI an independent process via IPC.

  • It recommends handling the GUI in a separate repository, similar to the secp256k1 library.

  • This change aims to focus maintenance and affirm the GUI as an essential Bitcoin Core element.

BLISK: Boolean circuit Logic Integrated into the Single Key

14 replies

By olkurbatov

Involving ZmnSCPxj, nkohen+2 others

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Original post on January 26, 2026 23:23 UTC

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Last reply on February 16, 2026 20:53 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • Enhancing BLISK with DLC adapts cryptographic policies to conditions, simplifying signature requirements.

  • The method uses an adaptor point for conditional policy enactment, requiring fewer participant interactions.

  • Benefits include automatic policy adjustment and minimal interaction, though oracle reliability and security risks remain concerns.

Spanning-forest cluster linearization

11 replies

By sipa

Involving blockchainhao, gmaxwell

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Original post on February 5, 2025 01:08 UTC

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Last reply on February 22, 2026 15:05 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • Significant progress in Bitcoin Core with SFL inclusion in the master branch.

  • Three critical pull requests merged, marking a milestone for the 31.0 release.

  • Updates aim to enhance efficiency, security, and user experiences in digital transactions.

Proposing a P2QRH BIP towards a quantum resistant soft fork

9 replies

By Francus

Involving cryptoquick, 0xfffffffa+3 others

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Original post on June 8, 2024 21:11 UTC

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Last reply on February 19, 2026 02:44 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • The email discusses Bitcoin's need for security to attract mainstream finance.

  • It calls for expert evaluation of a new solution for Bitcoin's stability and security risks.

  • The writer hopes the strategy will make Bitcoin appealing to institutional investors.

Bitcoin PIPEs v2

8 replies

By cmp_ancp

Involving AdamISZ, nemothenoone

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Original post on February 12, 2026 16:56 UTC

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Last reply on February 22, 2026 12:58 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • L2 application covenants rely on interactivity, with musig providing security and consensus.

  • Trust is central in L2 protocols, ensured by mechanisms like HTLCs for secure transactions.

  • Early revelation of a 3-3 musig may initiate protocol procedures, contrasting with the 2-2 musig's risk.

A quantum resistance script only using op_ctv/op_txhash and no new signatures

6 replies

By simul

Involving reardencode

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Original post on December 18, 2025 23:27 UTC

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Last reply on February 20, 2026 18:54 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • A new witness version aims to improve Segwit by eliminating key-path spending.

  • It proposes using CCTV instead of TXHASH to solve fee issues and improve transaction security.

  • This could be implemented through a soft fork, allowing upgraded nodes to enforce new rules.

Using AI tooling for code review

2 replies

By instagibbs

Involving 1440000bytes, ajtowns

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Original post on February 21, 2026 09:26 UTC

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Last reply on February 21, 2026 18:53 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • Claude Code efficiently generates examples and counterexamples for programming review.

  • It aids in understanding diagrams and conditional statements through iterative refinement.

  • Large Language Models like Claude enhance learning by providing verifiable examples.

Recent OP_RETURN output statistics

1 reply

By ajtowns

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Original post on February 11, 2026 21:05 UTC

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Last reply on February 16, 2026 01:04 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • Researchers @orangesurf and @murch analyzed the OP_RETURN opcode in Bitcoin transactions.

  • Their findings reveal its impact on blockchain data and functionality, shared online.

  • This research aids in optimizing blockchain technology use, encouraging community discussion.

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