2024.8.19 - 2024.8.25

2024.8.23

1. BitVM Official Project Updates:

- https://github.com/BitVM/BitVM/:

- The pseudo::restart_if implementation has been refactored in the main branch.

- A new lucid branch has been added, referencing the lucid branch of https://github.com/BitVM/rust-bitcoin-script.

- https://github.com/BitVM/rust-bitcoin-script: A new lucid branch has been added with active updates: OP_IF check disabled, stack counting fixed, StackAnalyzer test cases introduced, and debug information for OP_PICK and OP_ROLL added.

2. Alpen announced further optimizations to their multiplication algorithm, which are expected to reduce SNARK script size by 1.2 GB. The optimized multiplication will have precomputation costs and additional committed data. Alpen noted that this is currently just a proof of concept (PoC). https://x.com/alpenlabs/status/1827004881754034680?s=46

2024.8.20

sCrypt published a blog post titled "Efficient Multi-Input Transaction Grinding for OP_CAT-based Bitcoin Covenants." To enable introspection using OP_CAT, the last byte of a Schnorr signature needs to be ground. This article reduces the grinding difficulty, aiming to optimize interoperability between future Bitcoin contracts. https://x.com/scryptplatform/status/1825680783723606058