Post Quantum Signatures and Scaling Bitcoin

The discussion revolves around the economic and technical challenges faced by node operators within the Bitcoin network, particularly focusing on the distinction between full relay nodes and blocks-only nodes. The primary concern addressed is the external costs imposed on node runners who verify and relay transactions without receiving transaction fees, which are a significant incentive for miners. The benefit for these node operators lies in the finality and security of verifying blocks, but this does not offset the operational costs directly.

One proposed solution to mitigate these challenges involves the concept of transaction aggregation. This approach suggests that if transactions could be aggregated before entering the mempool, it might reduce the verification costs for those running full relay nodes while only marginally increasing bandwidth costs. Furthermore, it introduces the possibility for relay nodes to aggregate transactions on behalf of users, thereby generating a new revenue stream through fees for both aggregation and relay services. This method also ensures that once a transaction has been aggregated by a relay node, it cannot be disaggregated, allowing each node in the aggregation process to collect fees.

However, the technical specifics and feasibility of implementing such a transaction aggregation system remain unclear. The original message seeks input on how to design an effective aggregation system that wouldn't overly burden full relay nodes or alter the existing cost structure unfavorably. This inquiry underscores the need for innovative solutions that balance the operational costs for node operators with the overall health and efficiency of the Bitcoin network.