diff --git a/content/blog/release-v0.11-beta-8.md b/content/blog/release-v0.11-beta-8.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c3c4262 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/blog/release-v0.11-beta-8.md @@ -0,0 +1,110 @@ ++++ +title = "RGB v0.11 Beta 8 is out" +date = 2024-09-05 +authors = ["Maxim Orlovsky"] +description = "A new beta release of Bitcoin and Lightning smart contract protocol" ++++ + +LNP/BP Standards Association is happy to announce the eight beta release of RGB version 0.11. + +Beta 8 comes just three weeks after Beta 7, and mainly finalizes on work which has started before, +and contains bugfixes for the issues known before Beta 7 or discovered recently. + +With Beta 8 RGB comes closer to API stabilization: we announce a freeze to any changes in API unless +they are required by a fix of a security-critical bug, putting at risk client's funds. All other +bugs and feature requests from now on will be deferred to v0.11.x maintenance versions, after the +completed v0.11.0 release cycle. + +All users of RGB protocol, developers and integrators are urged to update and test their software +with Beta 8 as soon as possible. Due to the consensus-level changes contracts issued before this +release would not be compatible with the released RGB version. + + +## What's new in Beta 8 + +### Consensus-level change + +Beta 8 amends implementation of [RCP-240731A], a new consensus-level feature we introduced in beta 7. +Specifically, it changes the type of `nonce` from `u8` to `u64`, in order to be able to support +**Lightning eltoo** and other protocols which may have many more offchain state updates as a part +of one transaction graph comparing to the modern-day Lightning BOLT approach. + +### Improved persistence + +In Beta 7 we have introduced an improved persistence APIs. In Beta 8 we complete this epic by +separating persistence providers from the data, such that users of RGB and BP libraries can now +integrate blocking storage code into async apps by using dedicated threads abstracted away through +these providers. + + +## What's next + +Beta 8 release continues a phase of preparation for a public preview of the RGB v0.11. All parties +are strongly recommended switching to this latest beta, which contains a number of bugfixes and a +consensus-breaking change, and provide us feedback their feedback. + +Beta 8 starts a period of codebase freeze: only critical vulnerability changes will be accepted to +the codebase. Once there were no critical vulnerabilities discovered, a Preview 1 version of RGB +will be released. + +Beta 8 was a result of internal audit and testing effort, we do together with [Bitfinex Labs], which +will continue with external audit in the following week. In this way we plan to ensure the system +security and safety before the final release. + +You can track us on our journey towards v0.11 release with this [GitHub dashboard][proj]. + + +## About RGB v0.11 + +RGB v0.11 is an evolution of the protocol coming with a lot of bug fixes and improvements, further +enhancing RGB smart contracting capabilities. It will be the first version which will be audited by +independent auditors, after which it can be considered by third-party issuers for the use in +production. + +The main features shipping in v0.11 are: + +- Wallet integration right into RGB runtime and command-line tool; +- Basic support for Liquid sidechain, with ability to add more alternative scalability layers in the + future; +- Scripting, with new contract state introspection codes and RGB assembly compiler; +- Initial support for Contractum language; +- Ability to inherit interfaces (multiple inheritance!); +- Support of Electrum RPC and Mempool REST additionally to Esplora REST, present before; +- Commitments to issuer and developer identities embedded into contracts, interfaces, libraries; +- More compact consignments and better ASCII armoring. + + +## Contributing + +RGB is a free software and opensourc effort, built by community. The development is supervised by +a non-profit [LNP/BP Standards Association][LNPBP], which uses open approach: anybody from the +community can propose a request for RGB change ([RCP]), ask a question in [discussions], open an +issue in GitHub, propose a pull request or review pull requests of others. The association also +maintains public [roadmap][proj] summarizing the current development progress and listing all issues +and pull requests across multiple repositories and GitHub organizations related to the RGB. + +Specifically, we are also looking for qualified auditors and penetration testers who can contribute +into making RGB more secure and robust. We plan a grant program to facilitate this process; with any +enquiries please contact us via . + + +## Acknowledgements + +We are grateful to [Fulgur Ventures], continuing their multi-year support for our efforts in +developing RGB, as well as other Association members, including [Bitlight Labs], who had become a +major contributor to RGB development. We are grateful to all commercial companies, building on RGB, +and providing their support, contributions and feedback, including [Bitfinex], [Pandora Prime], and +[DIBA]. We are also grateful for individual contributors, who do their small -- but still highly +valuable and welcomed input in making RGB better. + + +[RCP-240731A]: https://github.com/RGB-WG/RFC/issues/10 +[discussions]: https://github.com/orgs/RGB-WG/discussions +[proj]: https://github.com/orgs/RGB-WG/projects/17/views/1 +[RGB20]: https://github.com/RGB-WG/rgb-interfaces/blob/master/interfaces/RGB20.con +[LNPBP]: https://www.lnp-bp.org +[Fulgur Ventures]: https://fulgur.ventures +[Bitlight Labs]: https://bitlightlabs.com +[Pandora Prime]: https://pandoraprime.ch +[Bitfinex]: https://www.bitfinex.com/about +[DIBA]: http://diba.io