Published on: 2021-03-02T18:32:00+00:00
The Bitcoin community is currently engaged in discussions about the activation of Taproot, a proposed soft-fork upgrade for the network. The activation method itself has raised concerns about the risk of chain splits and the potential impact on consensus. One suggestion to minimize this risk is to release a version of Bitcoin Core that requires users to choose between activating Taproot with LOT=true or LOT=false. However, there are debates about whether giving miners too much control over consensus could set a problematic precedent.Bitcoin Core developer Matt Corallo emphasized the long-standing policy of not including options that could harm users, explaining that the role of Bitcoin Core developers is to recommend technically sound and consensus-supported courses of action. While users are free to run their own software, he doesn't anticipate that the minority advocating for certain options on platforms like Twitter will have sufficient influence to sustain their choices if they find themselves on a chain with no blocks.The ongoing debate on the activation mechanism for Taproot includes discussions about whether to set the lock-in on timeout (LOT) parameter to true or false. Various viewpoints have been expressed, with some participants arguing for LOT=true and others suggesting LOT=false. Michael Folkson, who summarized the outcomes of a Taproot activation meeting, concluded that there was no overwhelming consensus but noted stronger opposition to LOT=true from Bitcoin Core contributors and Lightning developers. Based on this, he recommended proposing LOT=false as the activation parameter.However, the decision-making process is still ongoing, and code review of the Bitcoin Core PR #19573 is scheduled for February 23rd. While there are diverging opinions on the best course of action, the goal remains to activate Taproot as early as possible while minimizing risks and ensuring broad consensus within the Bitcoin community.It's worth noting that an activation mechanism is a consensus change that can be contentious. Therefore, it's important to engage in open discussions and prepare for different scenarios without being antagonistic or destructive. The Bitcoin community aims to find a resolution that aligns with the collective interest and avoids detrimental outcomes.The activation of Taproot has sparked debates within the Bitcoin community. Some members suggest setting LOT=false to minimize the risk, while others propose allowing users to make the choice themselves. There is disagreement on which option is safer, with arguments made for both LOT=true and LOT=false.During a recent meeting on Taproot activation, there was majority support for LOT=false over LOT=true. However, concerns were raised about the representativeness of the meeting, as only around 100 people attended. Despite this, it is recommended to propose LOT=false in order to finalize Taproot activation parameters and propose them to the community.It is emphasized that users are not forced to upgrade to any particular software version, and there is a possibility that only a small number of people will run LOT=true while others delay their upgrade. The goal is to avoid a chain split and falling out of consensus.The Bitcoin community acknowledges the importance of open discussions and preparation for worst-case scenarios in order to build secure systems. A code review of Bitcoin Core PR #19573 is scheduled, and participants are thanked for engaging productively and in good faith.Overall, the Bitcoin community is actively discussing the activation of Taproot and considering the potential risks and benefits. The debate centers around whether to set LOT to true or false, with arguments made for both options. The community aims to reach a consensus and activate Taproot in a way that minimizes risks and ensures the long-term growth and security of the ecosystem.The ongoing debate on the activation of Taproot continues, with different perspectives on the implementation and consensus rules. Software complexity and infrastructure limitations have been raised as challenges. The proposal for a LOT=true option in Bitcoin Core has faced opposition, leading to the recommendation of proposing LOT=false. Communication, agreement, and avoiding forced-signaling via forks are emphasized. Multiple forks and alternative implementations are suggested to enhance decentralization. The aim is to activate Taproot as early as possible while considering consensus and technical soundness.In the recent meeting on Taproot activation, arguments for both LOT=true and LOT=false were discussed. While there was no overwhelming consensus, there was more opposition against LOT=true among Bitcoin Core contributors, Lightning developers, and other community members. Some mining pools expressed a preference for LOT=false. It was decided to propose LOT=false at this time, considering the aim of activating the Taproot soft fork as early as possible.Matt Corallo emphasized the importance of communication and agreement in the activation process. He suggested that if there is broad consensus for Taproot but some miners fail to upgrade, a flag day activation could be considered instead of a UASF/BIP8-style fork, which carries additional risks. The tradeoffs of a BIP8(false, ∞) option were also discussed, with suggestions for maintaining multiple forks of Bitcoin Core to enhance decentralization.The practicality of implementing a LOT=false option in Bitcoin Core was questioned due to the software complexity involved.
Updated on: 2023-08-02T03:10:33.543115+00:00