Bitcoin TLDR

#118

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Feb 23 - Feb 23, 2026

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The introduction of Bitcoin PIPEs v2 represents a significant leap in blockchain technology, offering a method to integrate covenants into Bitcoin's Layer 1 seamlessly without the need for a soft fork. This advancement leverages a Decentralized Key Generation (DKG) committee for key generation, ensuring that no single entity has access to the private key. The key can only be unlocked through the verification of a Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP), enabling the verification of ZKPs on Bitcoin's Layer 1 in a single transaction. This method, transitioning from Functional Encryption-based designs to AADP Witness Encryption, not only increases operational feasibility for each Bitcoin block but also substantially reduces data storage needs from about 330 TB to roughly 100 GB.

Furthermore, Bitcoin PIPEs v2 revisits and potentially streamlines various Bitcoin Improvement Proposals (BIPs), such as OP_CTV and OP_VAULT, by emulating binary covenants without modifying the transaction format or outputs after key release. This innovation could greatly benefit applications like vaults, allowing funds to be unlocked under specific conditions, and enable zero-knowledge proofs to attest to the correctness of statements without disclosing underlying information.

The practical implementation of PIPEs v2 is now considered economically viable, overcoming previous challenges of impracticality through parallelization techniques and efficiency improvements. These advancements allow for critical processes, like determinant computation, to be executed within Bitcoin's 10-minute block interval, rendering real-time covenant emulation feasible. This development invites collaboration from BIP authors and Bitcoin contributors to further explore PIPEs v2's potential to simplify existing proposals, enhance efficiency, or introduce alternative design paradigms within the Bitcoin ecosystem, as detailed in discussions on platforms like Delving Bitcoin. More details can be found here.

Active Discussions

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

31 replies

By conduition

Involving Ethan Heilman, Matt Corallo+6 others

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Original post on February 9, 2026 14:20 UTC

cyclic icon

Last reply on February 23, 2026 21:42 UTC

bitcoin-dev

  • Integrating new Bitcoin address formats could bolster resistance against cryptographic threats, including quantum attacks.

  • Erik Aronesty discusses the feasibility of a commit/reveal scheme within Bitcoin's existing framework.

  • The conversation highlights the reliability of hash-based signature schemes as a secure method for Bitcoin amidst evolving cryptographic challenges.

Hourglass V2 Update

7 replies

By Isabel Foxen Duke

Involving Mike Casey, Alex+3 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

  • Isabel Foxen Duke proposed integrating restrictions based on the coinbase reward in Bitcoin's consensus.

  • She suggests limiting Pay-to-PubKey transactions to a portion of the 3.125 BTC coinbase reward.

  • Duke warns that while limitations could simplify understanding, they might complicate the user experience.

Bitcoin PIPEs v2

9 replies

By nemothenoone

Involving AdamISZ, cmp_ancp

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Original post on February 12, 2026 16:56 UTC

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Last reply on February 23, 2026 14:08 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • BitVM enables pre-signed transactions to unlock automatically upon specific events.

  • PIPEs allow decryption for any condition verifiable by zero-knowledge virtual machines.

  • This flexibility enhances blockchain protocols, offering advanced contract functionality and security.

Using AI tooling for code review

3 replies

By willcl-ark

Involving 1440000bytes, ajtowns+1 other

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Original post on February 21, 2026 09:26 UTC

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Last reply on February 23, 2026 09:12 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • The `review-core` command aids in reviewing Bitcoin Core code but can flag false positives.

  • A structured review process includes examining pull requests and understanding their implications.

  • Emphasizes critical thinking in design analysis and shares insights on refining the review process.

Introducing UltrafastSecp256k1: A Multi-Architecture Exploration of Secp256k1 Optimizations

1 reply

By shrec

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Original post on February 22, 2026 12:05 UTC

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Last reply on February 23, 2026 00:28 UTC

delvingbitcoin

  • The optimization sprint on RISC-V for Milk-V Mars improved performance by 34%.

  • This performance boost is key to the UltrafastSecp256k1 library's version 3.11 roadmap.

  • Tailored optimizations for IoT devices emphasize efficient computational cycle use.

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