Bitcoin Core version 0.12.0 released

Bitcoin Core is the reference client of Bitcoin, originally released as “Bitcoin” by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009, and later renamed to “Bitcoin Core” to distinguish it from the Bitcoin network. As an open-source project, it is maintained by a group of volunteer developers who regularly release updates to improve the network’s functionality, security, and performance.
 

The 0.12.0 version was a major release that introduced several improvements and new features to the Bitcoin protocol. One of the notable changes was the introduction of signature validation using libsecp256k1. This library replaced OpenSSL for ECDSA signature validation within Bitcoin transactions, leading to a significant speedup in raw signature validation speed, especially on x86_64 platforms.
 

The new version brought performance enhancements, with raw reindexing and new block validation times reduced to less than half of what they were before.

The update removed the dependency on OpenSSL for libconsensus, which was a critical part of ensuring the network’s security. 

A major part of the outbound traffic was caused by serving historic blocks to other nodes. Version 0.12.0 introduced the -maxuploadtarget parameter to minimize outbound traffic.
 

The release of Bitcoin Core v0.12.0 was a reflection of the ongoing efforts to scale Bitcoin and improve its underlying technology. The performance improvements were particularly important for the efficiency of transaction processing and the overall robustness of the Bitcoin network.
 

The Bitcoin community welcomed the new release, as it addressed several key issues and opened up new possibilities for the network’s growth. Developers and users were encouraged to upgrade to the new version to take advantage of the enhancements.
 

Bitcoin Core v0.12.0’s release is part of the historical progression of Bitcoin’s software development. Each new version builds upon the previous ones, continuously refining the network. The 0.12.0 release, in particular, set a precedent for future updates that focus on performance and security, two pillars that are essential for the sustainability and adoption of Bitcoin as a decentralized digital currency.