Ethereum: Why isn’t the taproot implementation buried in Bitcoin Core?

Ethereum: Why is Taproot deployment not buried in Bitcoin Core?

A recent press release by Bitcoin Inquisition (BI) released a discussion about the decision not to include the deployment of Taproot in the current version of Bitcoin Core (BTC Core). The Taproot update, which was originally planned for December 2021, aims to improve security and scalability by introducing a new proof-of-stake consensus algorithm called Taproot.

However, as indicated in the press release, the deployment of Taproot is not buried in Bitcoin Core for several reasons. In this article, we’ll look at possible explanations for this decision and why Taproot’s deployment remains separate from the current version of Bitcoin Core.

Reasons Why Taproot Doesn’t Bury

• Second Consensus Algorithm: Taproot uses a second consensus algorithm compared to Bitcoin Core. While Bitcoin Core relies on SHA-256 proof-of-work (PoW) consensus, Taproot uses a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus protocol. This difference is crucial because it affects the structure of the blockchain and the creation of new blocks.

• Network Compatibility: Deploying Taproot requires specialized hardware and software configurations to work correctly. Bitcoin Core does not have these requirements, which makes it less compatible with the updated Taproot algorithm.

• Security Issues: Some experts claim that burying the Taproot deployment in Bitcoin Core could lead to security risks due to the different consensus algorithms used. This fear is justified, since a compromised block or an attacker can use vulnerabilities in any of the systems.

Alternative Solutions

• Future Version: Bitcoin Core developers plan to release an updated version of their codebase that will include Taproot deployment. This will allow users to migrate to the new algorithm while maintaining compatibility with existing functionality.

• External Tools: Some developers have created external tools and scripts that support both Bitcoin Core and Taproot deployments. These tools can be used to migrate from Bitcoin Core to Taproot and vice versa.

Conclusion

The decision not to bury the deployment of Taproot in Bitcoin Core is a conscious choice by the community, driven by concerns about security risks and compatibility issues. Although it may seem illogical at first glance, this approach allows for a more flexible and adaptable blockchain ecosystem, allowing users to choose the best solution for their specific needs.

In conclusion, it should be said that the deployment of Taproot remains separate from Bitcoin Core for the reasons stated above. However, as new versions of Bitcoin Core are released, there will likely be some support for upgrading to the new algorithm.