Draft BIP: Well-Known Bitcoin Identity Endpoint

In a recent exchange on the Bitcoin Development Mailing List, a discussion unfolded concerning a proposed Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) by Aviv. The conversation, initiated by a contributor known as 'hodlinator', offered constructive feedback on Aviv's draft, spotlighting several areas for refinement and clarification. Central to the dialogue was a critique of using an email-like format for the proposed BIP, a choice that historically has led to confusion due to its resemblance to actual email addresses. This comparison draws from past experiences with the Lightning Address introduction, where similar formatting choices were questioned for their potential to confuse users and complicate the differentiation between various schemes.

'hodlinator' suggests Aviv could improve the proposal by clearly delineating how the paysats (payments in satoshis, the smallest unit of bitcoin) would be communicated within the system, advising against the adoption of an email format. This guidance stems from a desire to avoid the ambiguities and operational frictions encountered by previous implementations that utilized similar formats. Moreover, the feedback encourages a more detailed exposition on how Aviv's BIP differentiates from or aligns with existing frameworks, particularly in relation to BIP 353 and other analogous schemes.

The exchange underscores a broader theme within the cryptocurrency development community: the importance of clarity, user-friendliness, and distinctiveness in the design of new protocols or improvements. By revisiting and refining these aspects of the proposal, Aviv is positioned to enhance the utility and reception of his BIP within the ecosystem. This dialogue exemplifies the collaborative and iterative nature of open-source development, where feedback and shared insights contribute to the evolution and maturation of technological innovations.