BITCOIN SEASON 2: An Insiders Look Into Bitcoin Development
ReardenCode discusses how we should reframe discussions around Bitcoin soft forks, explaining the capabilities-focused approach to opcodes rather than focusing solely on protocols. The conversation covers SegWit, Taproot, OP_CAT, and MEV concerns.
Apr 9, 2025
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ReardenCode, independent Bitcoin developer and freedom advocate, joins us to talk about reframing how we think about Bitcoin soft forks. Reardon breaks down opcodes, explains why we should focus on capabilities rather than protocols, and explores the historical context of Bitcoin's upgrades from SegWit to Taproot. The conversation goes deep on OP_CAT, CTV, and CHECKSIGFROMSTACK while but tries to make the topics approachable approachable.
Follow our guests: @ReardenCode
Notes:
- Bitcoin is the first digitally scarce asset
- OP_CAT enables five different capabilities
- SegWit enabled non-third party malleable txs
- Taproot enabled hidden script paths
- CTV+CSS combo enables rebindable signatures
- MEV concerns can probably be scoped and managed
Check out our Bitcoin scaling conference! Visit opnext.dev to learn more.
Timestamps:
00:00 Start
01:28 What is Bitcoin?
02:36 What's an OP code?
05:41 How to think about OP codes
07:39 Capabilities examples
10:17 Explaining OP codes
12:03 What do we want?
13:24 Why did SegWit NOT do more?
15:22 Taproot
18:50 Arch
19:25 Hidden script paths
22:13 CTV
31:55 OP_CAT
35:11 Check Contract Verify
36:33 Introduction of "state" & MEV
37:07 MEV
40:29 Limiting MEV
43:36 The problems of OP_CAT
48:26 The current consensus
52:22 Wrap up
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