The Nakamoto upgrade has begun rolling out, learn more!
Halving on the Horizon:
Technical Milestones & Release Strategy Updates for Nakamoto & sBTC
by Mitchell Cuevas on December 8, 2023
This post covers the latest intel from the frontlines of Working Groups and provide the latest look at milestones and timelines for the Nakamoto and sBTC release. It will be updated regularly.
TL;DR: Nakamoto is on track to begin rollout before Bitcoin halving which is currently projected around April 30th.
✨ See this overview of the Nakamoto release strategy
✨ See this overview of the Nakamoto release strategy
Let’s take a closer look at the technical timelines and rollout plan as it stands today. Off the top, I’m excited to share that Core Developers now have locked-in the optimal release strategy for sBTC and Nakamoto and are still confident in their projections to start the Nakamoto release at the time of Bitcoin halving. This aligns nicely with other work going on in the ecosystem to maximize and support Nakamoto and tee the ecosystem up for success and growth.
During the latest design cycles, Core Developers have also been able to sort out a the basics of a release strategy for sBTC which is expected can quickly follow the Nakamoto upgrade after the network demonstrates stability following the release. With the multitude of testing strategies and resources in place, technical contributors are expecting a smooth rollout for Nakamoto, meaning sBTC can be released approximately 2-3 months after. This sequencing of hardforks maximizes the predictability and safety of both upgrades by reducing overall complexity.
Progress on sBTC will continue throughout the first quarter of 2024 as Nakamoto is prioritized and finalized, including a focus on signer activation (see this exciting news from Figment), Clarity WASM work, and the Revealer API. Almost all the remaining technical work for sBTC is scoped and can be picked up by contributors as resources from Nakamoto clear.
During the latest design cycles, Core Developers have also been able to sort out a the basics of a release strategy for sBTC which is expected can quickly follow the Nakamoto upgrade after the network demonstrates stability following the release. With the multitude of testing strategies and resources in place, technical contributors are expecting a smooth rollout for Nakamoto, meaning sBTC can be released approximately 2-3 months after. This sequencing of hardforks maximizes the predictability and safety of both upgrades by reducing overall complexity.
Progress on sBTC will continue throughout the first quarter of 2024 as Nakamoto is prioritized and finalized, including a focus on signer activation (see this exciting news from Figment), Clarity WASM work, and the Revealer API. Almost all the remaining technical work for sBTC is scoped and can be picked up by contributors as resources from Nakamoto clear.
It is worth pointing out that in the initial version of the roadmap, Nakamoto and sBTC were penciled in for release together, but as work has progressed, it’s become more clear that separate hard forks are beneficial for several reasons:
For questions or comments, please connect with the appropriate Working Group or the sBTC Resident.
- When originally projected, the first version of sBTC with the Nakamoto release was likely to be limited, the goal at the time being to ‘get something in the hands of builders’ ASAP. However, the WG sprinted hard in October and delivered the sBTC Developer Release so builders can already get started as-is.
- By releasing Nakamoto first, which represents a number of complex changes to the chain, there is an opportunity to observe it in production before layering on sBTC. This limits the surface area that has to be analyzed if issues arise.
- Core developers have also noted this is a better situation for both testing and overall security, security being a top value proposition of the network. This path enables the initial release of sBTC to be more robust and tested than were it to be released in tandem with Nakamoto.
For questions or comments, please connect with the appropriate Working Group or the sBTC Resident.
Looking toward halving
Recently Completed
Recently Completed
✅ Proof of Work
A few highlights of work that's already done
- Mockamoto is ready!
- StackerDB (messaging for Stacker-Signers)
- WSTS Libraries (cryptography)
- New node design
- New block structure
- New chainstate
- Clarity-Bitcoin library
- PoX-4
- ClarityWasm (95% done)
- DKG (distributed key generation for signing)
- sBTC deposit, withdrawal, and wallet handoff contracts
- 0.2 PRs are all in review (and will be code complete by 12/15)
- 0.2 and 0.3 milestones are completely estimated and scoped
- Signer docs and marketing page complete
- Figment and Copper onboarded as Signers
Q4 2023
Q4 2023
✅ Nakamoto v.2
Controlled Testnet aka Neon
Nakamoto’s ‘Controlled Testnet’ has arrived! The private testing leverages Bitcoin Regtest and features a single miner, single Stacker, and Stacker signing. Learn more in this Twitter thread.
Highlights of the work:
Highlights of the work:
- Stacks.js and API are Neon ready.
- 100% of expressions implemented in Clarity Wasm.
- Clarity Wasm Developer Release & Devnet, including aligned Clarinet progression.
- First mutation tests running on the stacks-core repo.
- Integration with Bitcoin Regtest.
- As a developer, you can experiment with the testnet using the following URLs (API Nakamoto 1, API Nakamoto 2, API Nakamoto 1 extended).
- The Nakamoto Preview version of Clarinet can be used to run Nakamoto Neon in the Devnet with the new Clarity Wasm.
- Documentation for the testnet is on the way.
Q1 2024
Q1 2024
⌨ Nakamoto v.3
Pre-Launch Testnet
Q1 will be highlighted by a public testnet with multiple Stackers, multiple Miners, and the Stacker Network's FROST DKG integrated. This will be an ideal time for builders to dive deep and start preparing to upgrade their applications by leveraging the testnet.
Areas of focus:
Areas of focus:
- Nakamoto performance gains with existing Clarity WASM
- All Nakamoto rules in place
- POX-4, Throughput gains, Lower Latency, Existing Clarity WASM
- Clarity WASM to feature complete with full Clarinet support
- Clarity WASM Performance benchmarking, improvements, & fuzzing
- Controlled testnet upgraded with performance gains
- Testing and audits on code complete components
Bitcoin Halving
Bitcoin Halving
⭐ Nakamoto
Hard fork 1 opens Instantiation Window: April 15-29, 2024
Hard fork 2 opens Activation: August 28
Hard fork 2 opens Activation: August 28
Nakamojo! Assuming the community votes in the Nakamoto upgrade and miners adopt, Nakamoto will begin rolling out between April 15 and 29. You can find more detail about the rollout strategy here.
Approx. 2-3 months following
Approx. 2-3 months following
⭐ sBTC
Once Nakamoto reaches Step 1 (Instantiation) in April, many Core Developers will turn their focus to sBTC and produce a more detailed rollout plan to share. Network stability, bug fixes, and overall security will be prioritized in determining the exact time to release sBTC.