The Bitcoin universe never stops evolving, and the latest Bitcoin Core 29.0 update is a testament to that.
Bitcoin Core, the benchmark software for running full nodes on the Bitcoin network, released version 29.0 on April 15, marking a turning point in the evolution of the world's leading cryptocurrency.
This update introduces a number of technical improvements that seek strengthen decentralization and efficiency of the network, two fundamental pillars for the Bitcoin ecosystem. Among the most notable changes are the optimization of the P2P communication protocol, which regulates the exchange of information between nodes, and the implementation of new policies in the mempool, the space where transactions wait to be confirmed by miners.
Furthermore, the self Bitcoin Core 29.0 adds support for version 3 transactions (TRUC), designed to limit the spread of unconfirmed transactions and prevent network congestion. Adjustments have also been made to improve anonymous connectivity through the Tor network, and port forwarding protocols have been updated, making it easier for nodes to operate in different network environments. All of these innovations, along with improvements to wallet management and user experience, position Bitcoin Core 29.0 as a key update that could redefine the way users and developers interact with the Bitcoin network, ushering in a new era of decentralization and performance.
TRADE SAFELY – BUY BITCOIN HEREP2P network optimization and privacy improvements with Tor
Bitcoin's robustness depends largely on its P2P network, the 'nervous system' that allows nodes to communicate and exchange information. Bitcoin Core 29.0 introduces tweaks that promise to make this network even more robust. more efficient and saferOne of the most significant changes is the optimization of the P2P protocol, which regulates how Bitcoin network nodes exchange information, such as blocks and transactions.
Among the proposed changes is the removal of support for UPnP (Universal Connection and Configuration), a mechanism that allowed nodes to automatically configure router ports to accept incoming connections. The removal of UPnP support is offset by the introduction of PCP (Port Control Protocol) and NAT-PMP (Network Address Translation Port Mapping Protocol). These new protocols facilitate more efficient and secure port forwarding, improving connectivity. Furthermore, both are compatible with both IPv4 and IPv6, the two main standards for assigning addresses on the Internet.
On the other hand, Bitcoin Core 29.0 brings improvements for nodes operating through Tor, a privacy-focused protocol. In previous versions, nodes using Tor shared the same port as standard connections, which could lead to conflicts. Now, Bitcoin Core 29.0 proposes automatically setting a different port for connections. onion, a term referring to Tor-specific addresses designed to operate on this anonymous network. This simplifies the management of anonymous nodes and prevents disruptions.
PREPARE YOUR WALLET – JOIN NOWImprovements to orphan block management in Bitcoin
Orphan blocks are those that a node receives without knowing its predecessor block in the chain. Now, Bitcoin Core 29.0 optimizes the management of these blocks. Instead of immediately discarding them, the new version temporarily stores them and requests missing blocks from other nodes.
According to the developers, this mechanism potentially reduces delays in blockchain synchronization, strengthening network resilience faced with problems such as unstable connections or attempts to slow the spread of information. This orphan block management strategy allows the network to recover more quickly and maintain a consistent view of the blockchain in the event of any of these issues. Thus, when a node receives an orphan block, it queries its peers for the missing parent block in order to validate the new block.
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If successful, modifications to the P2P system, the use of Tor, and the optimization of orphan blocks could strengthen Bitcoin's decentralization, ensuring that nodes remain connected and synchronized even under adverse conditions. For beginners, this would mean a more stable network; for advanced users, it would offer greater flexibility in node configuration.
BUY BITCOIN ON BIT2MEBitcoin Core introduces updates to RPC interfaces
RPCs, or Remote Procedure Calls, are commands that developers use to interact with a Bitcoin Core node, whether to query data, manage wallets, or send transactions. Version 29.0 proposes improvements that could make these interfaces more convenient and secure. One notable change would be the inclusion of new fields in the «getmempoolinfo» command, This would provide detailed statistics on the size and fees of transactions in the mempool. For example, developers could access data on the number of TRUC transactions or the impact of fee-based replacement policies. This information would be valuable for those developing applications that require real-time data, such as digital wallets or block explorers.
Another adjustment would affect the “sendawtransaction” command, which allows custom transactions to be broadcast directly to the network. This command, used by developers to submit manually constructed transactions, could improve their ability to handle transaction packets, simplifying the management of complex multi-party operations. Using this command allows developers to submit transactions they have manually constructed, giving them more precise control over the process.
On the other hand, it They would correct errors in commands such as "listunspent", which would now offer more accurate information about the available outputs in a wallet. Overall, these updates could make developers' work easier, allowing them to create more robust tools.
MAXIMIZE YOUR OPPORTUNITIES – INVITE AND EARNNew mempool and mining policies
In addition to the improvements and updates noted above, Bitcoin Core 29.0 also introduces significant adjustments to the rules governing the mempool and mining operations, seeking to balance transaction selection efficiency with the overall security of the blockchain system. A central aspect is support for version 3 transactions, known as TRUC or Topologically Constrained Transactions Until Confirmation, defined in Bitcoin Improvement Proposal #431.
Bitcoin Core version 29.0 also establishes a size limit of 10.000 virtual bytes (vB), a unit that measures a transaction's impact on the network based on its size and complexity, and prohibits the spending of unconfirmed outputs in long chains of dependent transactions. It also proposes optimizing the handling of transaction bundles, where a parent transaction and its dependent transactions (children) are evaluated together.
With these new policies, developers aim to optimize transaction selection by miners and improve the user experience by making it easier to confirm stuck transactions. All of this could ensure that TRUC transactions are manageable, reducing the risk of mempool overflow and making it easier for miners to select transactions with competitive fees.
GO TO BIT2ME LIFEAdditionally, since version 28.0, the Full RBF policy was enabled by default, allowing nodes to accept transactions that replace others with lower fees, even without an explicit signal of replaceability, as long as they comply with replacement rules, such as offering a higher total fee. With widespread adoption of this practice, the Bitcoin Core team determined that disabling it no longer provides any benefits, removing the option and establishing Full RBF as the standard behavior.
In short, Bitcoin Core 29.0 drives the network towards a greater decentralization and efficiency, with innovations that improve connectivity, transaction management, and privacy, strengthening Bitcoin's fundamental infrastructure for the future.
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