NVK from Coinkite discusses Bitcoin ossification and changes in the Bitcoin network. Topics include bug fixes, desired changes, Bitcoin usage, market focus, and the fate of other blockchains. The conversation explores Bitcoin's role as a store of value or medium of exchange, Gresham's Law, and the future path for Bitcoin.
Reevaluation of Bitcoin ossification to extreme conservatism for code improvement and consensus maintenance.
Debate on Bitcoin's role as a medium of exchange vs. store of value, urging for potential enhancements like covenants.
Advocacy for demand-driven updates in Bitcoin development and prioritizing practical solutions over ideological debates.
Deep dives
Bitcoin Ossification and Gardening
Bitcoin ossification, a term used to describe extreme conservatism in Bitcoin changes, is being reevaluated. The discussion shifts towards being extremely conservative on changes rather than ossification due to the evolving nature of feature classifications and demands from different market actors. NVK emphasizes the importance of continual code improvement, termed 'gardening' within the framework of extreme conservatism to enhance P2P communication and maintain consensus rules.
Bitcoin as Medium of Exchange vs. Store of Value
The ongoing debate in Bitcoin about whether it should primarily function as a medium of exchange or a store of value continues. NVK states that Bitcoin's capacity to scale for payments is limited due to its current design. The debate reflects a tug-of-war between medium of exchange and store of value features, prompting discussions about potential improvements, such as covenants and enhanced privacy.
Engineering Market-Based Solutions
NVK advocates for market-based engineering solutions in Bitcoin development, emphasizing demand-driven updates and improvements. He discusses the importance of engineers focusing on practical solutions rather than ideological debates, highlighting the need for constant improvement while respecting Bitcoin's core principles and incentives.
Challenges with Implementing Changes on Bitcoin
Concerns arise about introducing changes that may impact Bitcoin's consensus rules and overall stability. Discussions center around the difficulties of implementing updates due to potential risks to the network. NVK stresses the need for cautious evaluation of proposed changes and the significance of balancing innovation with maintaining Bitcoin's robustness.
Navigating Bitcoin's Evolution and Innovation
As Bitcoin evolves, the ecosystem faces challenges related to scalability, censorship resistance, and sustainable development. NVK underlines the importance of embracing innovation while preserving Bitcoin's core principles and functionalities. He encourages a balanced approach to enhancements, considering the long-term implications and the diverse needs of Bitcoin users.
NVK of Coinkite rejoins me to talk about attitudes on Bitcoin development and consensus changes. We discuss how “ossification” is commonly thrown around as a term, but maybe there is a better term. “Extreme conservatism”? We talk: