Bitcoin Optech #379: ECDSA, Quantum & Lightning Updates

Published: 2025-11-12 16:55:43 |

Bitcoin Optech #379 compares ECDSA signature validation performance between libsecp256k1 and OpenSSL. Benchmarks show libsecp256k1 is up to 30% faster, reinforcing its role in Bitcoin Core. The report includes detailed test code for review. Bitcoin Optech also covers new consensus proposals. Topics include scriptPubKey size limits, a temporary data-limiting soft fork, and OP_CHECKINPUTVERIFY for post-quantum signature aggregation. Developers are exploring native STARK proof verification in Tapscript and reviewing BIP54 test vectors for cleanup. On the Lightning front, Core Lightning 25.09.2 and LND 0.20.0-beta.rc3 address bug fixes and wallet scanning issues. Major updates across Bitcoin Core, Eclair, LDK, Rust Bitcoin and BTCPay Server boost performance and security. Traders should monitor these developments for potential impacts on block validation costs and network scalability.

Bullish

The newsletter’s technical upgrades—faster ECDSA validation, post-quantum and STARK research, and Lightning bug fixes—enhance Bitcoin network efficiency and security. In the short term, improved validation and protocol proposals may reduce transaction costs and bolster developer confidence. Over the long term, these advances support scalability and reinforce Bitcoin’s resilience against quantum threats. Together, they strengthen network fundamentals, making the news broadly positive for BTC’s market sentiment.