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

The email discussion revolves around the optimization and potential enhancements of certain Bitcoin functionalities, with a particular focus on SwiftSync and MuHash performance. The sender expresses a heightened interest in the SwiftSync variant, which notably reduces assumptions compared to the -assumevalid feature. To facilitate a practical examination, they suggest that integrating this as a -reindex could be beneficial, leveraging existing undo data stored on disk. This approach aims to simplify the proof of concept phase by utilizing available resources.

Moreover, the conversation delves into the performance aspects of MuHash, a cryptographic accumulator used within the Bitcoin protocol. The sender references two GitHub pull requests (#19181 and #21590) that have contributed to performance improvements in handling MuHash. Particularly, the latter pull request is highlighted for its significant enhancement of MuHash processing speed, an upgrade already incorporated into the recipient's branch. Additionally, it is mentioned that employing libgmp for computing inverses could potentially double the speed, indicating further areas for optimization. This insight suggests that while notable progress has been made, there remains untapped potential for improving MuHash efficiency, underscoring an ongoing opportunity for development within Bitcoin's cryptographic operations.