Fabian Jahr and Gloria Zhao rejoin me to discuss whether big projects can be done inside Bitcoin core. We delve into AssumeUTXO, ASMap, developer funding, and meritocracy in the developer community.

Summary

In this episode, Stephan discusses the upcoming Bitcoin Core version 28, its new features, and the ongoing development efforts with Fabian and Gloria. They delve into the pace of change within Bitcoin Core, the importance of communication and collaboration in software development, and the challenges faced by developers in getting projects approved. The conversation also covers the AssumeUTXO project, its implications for node operation, and the significance of funding and competing implementations in the Bitcoin ecosystem. The episode concludes with insights into future projects and the collaborative nature of Bitcoin development.

Takeaways

Bitcoin Core version 28 introduces exciting new features.
The development process involves both small bug fixes and significant changes.
Communication and collaboration are essential for project success.
AssumeUTXO allows for quicker node synchronization.
The decentralized nature of Bitcoin development presents unique challenges.
Funding can influence project focus but should not dictate it.
Competing implementations can complicate backward compatibility.
Iterative development is crucial for large projects.
Engaging the community early can lead to better outcomes.
Future projects like ASMap and Cluster Mempool are on the horizon.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:32) - What to expect from Bitcoin Core V28.0?

(05:10) - What should be the pace of change for Bitcoin Core?

(11:15) - How does one decide which is a worthwhile project to work on?

(14:15) - Why did it take so long for AssumeUTXO to go live?

(20:38) - AssumeUTXO explained

(22:04) - Sponsors

(25:40) - BtcpayServer ‘s Fast Sync

(27:36) - Developer funding landscape in Bitcoin; Working on FOSS

(31:27) - What are the effects of having various implementations of Bitcoin Core?

(35:05) - What does it take to successfully merge a PR?

(37:31) - What is the ASMap project?

(48:34) - Sponsor

(49:58) - Importance of soft skills & meritocracy in Bitcoin’s developer community

(1:00:13) - Upcoming projects; Closing thoughts

Previous Episodes:

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SLP214 Pierre Rochard & Fabian Jahr – Where Are All The Bitcoins?: https://youtu.be/PQWy_UR9PzY
SLP216 Gloria Zhao Learning Bitcoin Core Contribution & Hosting PR Review Club: https://youtu.be/O-Q-SmuXjS4
SLP404 Gloria Zhao - What Do Bitcoin Core Maintainers Do?: https://youtu.be/a61lUwlOF80
v3 Transactions and Package Relay with Glozow (SLP511): https://youtu.be/H1o7TgTCMjk

Links:

Bitcoin Core v28.0: https://bitcoincore.org/en/download/
ASMap: https://delvingbitcoin.org/t/asmap-creation-process/548
AssumeUTXO tracking: https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/issues/29616
https://bitcoinops.org/en/topics/assumeutxo/
TRUC / v3 topic: https://bitcoinops.org/en/topics/version-3-transaction-relay/
Package relay topic: https://bitcoinops.org/en/topics/package-relay/
Package relay tracking: https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/issues/27463
https://brink.dev
Testnet 4 PR: https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/pull/29775
BIP94: https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/pull/1601
CISA website: https://cisaresearch.org
CISA fellowship: https://x.com/ck_SNARKs/status/1817928417184203162

Sponsors:

Stephan Livera links:

Niall Ferguson: Rethinking Progress