After more than nine years as the main developer, Van der Laan left the Bitcoin Core Github repository last February. This is not only a huge loss, but also represents the current state of the Bitcoin mainnet. There are currently only four active caregivers left. And most of the bug fixes and updates depend on them.

Four programmers to review Bitcoin’s secrets. The Wall Street Journal explains how Bitcoin Core maintenance works. A virtually unknown group of programmers is responsible for secretly fixing potential security vulnerabilities and modifying the project’s code.

They are considered the successors of Satoshi Nakamoto, the eponymous creator of Bitcoin. Almost a decade ago there were about twenty caregivers (‘maintainers’), but today only four have an active main role.

Each deals with a particular aspect. Hennady Stepanov, Michael Ford, Andrew Chow and Gloria Zhao. Three men and one woman, each dedicated to a specific topic, such as the graphical user interface, the connection to wallets, or the code that validates processes and transactions.

These developers are the people who ensure that the Bitcoin code is up-to-date and compatible with the latest versions of operating systems and adapted to the required trading volume. Despite being an open and open source project, the work of these maintainers is considered essential for the proper functioning of the network.

Numerous losses in recent years. Van der Laan has spent more time as the main developer of Bitcoin Core than Satoshi himself. But other than that, several sitters have been unsubscribed in the last two years. It happened at the end of 2021 samuel dobsonWorking on the wallet and security protocol and leaving the project to focus on his PhD, Dr. just did it Jonas Schnelli.

In 2022, the first caregiver, Gloria Zhao, started collaborating. did it instead Peter Wille After some time without contributing, he decided to return permissions and access to the code.

But the most significant drop was that of Marco Falke, who, also last February, collaborated with over 2,000 commitments and over seven years as a maintainer. “I continue to be passionate about open source and Bitcoin, and I am positive about the future, but being a caregiver is no longer a good fit for me personally,” Falke said.

Not one of the maintainers, but an important contributor. Dhruvkaran Mehta has left the Bitcoin Core project to focus on his own blockchain venture.

too much pressure. According to the WSJ, Van der Laan left her job as a caregiver due to “fatigue, health problems, and the constant awkward fights on social media.” Here are some arguments that won’t just be for his particular case, as other programmers have also expressed concerns after leaving the maintainer role.

In Jonas Schnelli’s case, he drew attention to the increased legal risks to caregivers. It’s about their battle against Craig Wright, who claims to be the person behind Satoshi Nakamoto.

Another argument the WSJ explains is that the normal salary for Bitcoin Core developers is about 50% lower than that offered by Big Tech for positions with similar functions.

The difference between a contributor and a maintainer. These four maintainers are in charge of monitoring and supervising the implementations in the core code. It is not they who make and approve them, but those who are responsible for their final implementation.

The maintainers themselves are chosen by the sizable Bitcoin developer community on Github. When a name is suggested, it is voted on and granted access to trusted keys so that it can be protective and apply changes to the Bitcoin Core.

A stronger community behind the four. “It is very important to understand that Bitcoin is not controlled by caretakers” Summing up Joe Burnett, Blockware Solutions analyst. This is because changes are decided by the developer community of hundreds of programmers. Nearly 300 assets, according to ETF Securities crypto analyst James Butterfill.

The development of Bitcoin Core is a carefully studied process. Caregivers themselves cannot make changes without being reviewed by other contributors. It is precisely this large number of steps to implement the changes that has led to Bitcoin Core’s development being rather conservative.

Decentralization requires hands. This reduction in the number of caregivers is not a coincidence. Bitcoin Core Github community posts reflect this decentralization of updates is sought.

The maintainer figure implementing the changes is still needed, but the goal is for decisions to go through as many developers as possible. This requires the help of interested programmers. Because as with any other open source project, the power will ultimately lie with the large number of people who decide to participate.

Image | pete linforth

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