hodler

3 Mar 2026, 03:00

‘The audacity met reality’: Why Mt. Gox’s Bitcoin hard fork died in 17 hours

Can Bitcoin’s social consensus shield BTC from precedent-setting forks before cracks appear?

2 Mar 2026, 19:25

Ethereum Block Builder Centralization: Buterin’s Crucial FOCIL Proposal to Fortify Censorship Resistance

BitcoinWorld Ethereum Block Builder Centralization: Buterin’s Crucial FOCIL Proposal to Fortify Censorship Resistance In a pivotal move for blockchain’s future, Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin has unveiled a crucial proposal to combat the creeping threat of block builder centralization, a challenge that could undermine the network’s foundational promise of neutrality and open access. This development, reported in late 2024, arrives as the Ethereum ecosystem prepares for its next major evolution, highlighting the ongoing battle to preserve decentralization in an increasingly competitive and sophisticated landscape. The proposed mechanism, dubbed FOCIL, aims to act as a powerful, procedural safeguard, ensuring that no single entity can wield unchecked power over transaction inclusion on the world’s leading smart contract platform. Understanding the Ethereum Block Builder Centralization Challenge Block building represents a critical, yet often opaque, layer in Ethereum’s post-Merge architecture. Following the transition to Proof-of-Stake, the process separates into two key roles: the block proposer (validators chosen by the algorithm) and the block builder. Builders compete in a private marketplace, known as mev-boost relays, to assemble the most profitable bundles of transactions from the mempool. Subsequently, they submit these bundles to proposers for inclusion. However, this specialization has led to significant centralization risks. A handful of sophisticated block builders, often leveraging advanced algorithms and substantial capital for Maximum Extractable Value (MEV), now dominate this market. This concentration poses several tangible threats. Primarily, it creates a single point of failure and increases the risk of censorship. For instance, a dominant builder could theoretically exclude transactions from specific protocols or geographic regions to comply with external pressure or to manipulate market prices for profit. Moreover, excessive centralization contradicts Ethereum’s core ethos of permissionless participation and robust neutrality. While the upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade will formally codify the proposer-builder separation (PBS), Buterin argues this structural change alone is insufficient. He contends that simply having a market for builders does not inherently prevent a monopolistic or malicious actor from controlling it. Proposer-Builder Separation (PBS): A design paradigm that isolates the role of choosing a block (proposer) from constructing it (builder) to mitigate MEV-related risks. MEV (Maximal Extractable Value): The profit that can be extracted from reordering, including, or excluding transactions within a block. Censorship Resistance: A fundamental property of a blockchain ensuring no valid transaction can be permanently prevented from inclusion. Decoding Buterin’s FOCIL Proposal for Censorship Resistance Buterin’s proposed solution, FOCIL (Focused Inclusion List), introduces a clever cryptographic and game-theoretic layer to enforce transaction inclusion. The core mechanism is elegantly simple yet powerful. For each new block, a small, randomly selected committee of participants—likely validators within the network—is assigned a special duty. This committee creates a short, cryptographically committed list of transactions that must be included in the next block. The block builder, regardless of their identity or motives, must incorporate these designated transactions. Crucially, if the builder omits any transaction from this mandatory list, the network’s consensus rules will reject the entire block, rendering it invalid and costing the proposer their reward. This design elegantly shifts the power dynamic. It ensures that even if a single, malicious block builder achieves market dominance, they cannot systematically exclude specific users or transaction types. The randomness of committee selection prevents targeting, while the economic penalty for non-compliance enforces adherence. Buterin frames FOCIL not as a replacement for a competitive builder market but as a foundational “backstop” guarantee. It ensures the network’s censorship resistance properties hold under even extreme assumptions of builder centralization. This proposal reflects a principle often discussed in blockchain governance: trust minimization through verifiable, rule-based enforcement. Key Components of the FOCIL Mechanism Component Function Impact Random Committee Selects mandatory transactions Prevents collusion and targeting Inclusion List Cryptographically committed list of must-include TXs Provides a verifiable mandate for builders Block Rejection Rule Invalidates blocks omitting listed transactions Creates a strong economic disincentive for censorship The Glamsterdam Upgrade and the Road Ahead The context of the Glamsterdam upgrade, expected to be Ethereum’s next major hard fork, makes this proposal particularly timely. Glamsterdam is anticipated to enshrine PBS into the core protocol, moving it away from its current reliance on external software like mev-boost. This “enshrinement” aims to simplify the protocol and reduce reliance on off-chain trust assumptions. However, as Buterin highlights, enshrining PBS without safeguards like FOCIL could inadvertently cement the power of centralized builders. Therefore, the community is now actively debating whether mechanisms for censorship resistance, such as inclusion lists, should be part of Glamsterdam or a subsequent upgrade. Industry experts and core developers are currently analyzing the technical feasibility and potential trade-offs of FOCIL. Potential considerations include the computational overhead for the random committee, the optimal size of the inclusion list to balance security with efficiency, and the integration path with existing Ethereum infrastructure. The discussion extends beyond Ethereum, serving as a case study for all Proof-of-Stake blockchains facing similar centralization pressures in their block production supply chain. The outcome will significantly influence Ethereum’s resilience against regulatory or corporate pressure to censor transactions, a concern that has grown across the crypto industry. Comparative Analysis: FOCIL vs. Alternative Solutions FOCIL enters a field of existing ideas aimed at similar problems. Another prominent concept is the “Builder’s Market with Reputation,” which relies on social consensus and slashing to penalize builders who consistently censor. However, this approach is slower and more subjective. A more direct alternative is mandatory transaction inclusion via the protocol itself for all transactions meeting a base fee, but this could be impractical and inefficient. FOCIL strikes a middle ground by being minimally intrusive. It only intervenes with a small, random sample, preserving most of the builder market’s efficiency while guaranteeing a high probabilistic assurance against censorship. Furthermore, FOCIL aligns with a broader trend in Ethereum research toward “credible neutrality” and robust social consensus. It operationalizes the principle that certain network properties are non-negotiable and must be protected by the protocol’s core rules, not left to market forces alone. This philosophical stance is crucial for maintaining Ethereum’s position as a global, neutral settlement layer. The proposal also demonstrates the iterative, research-driven nature of Ethereum’s development, where potential vulnerabilities are identified and addressed proactively through peer review and rigorous debate before they manifest as critical failures. Conclusion Vitalik Buterin’s FOCIL proposal represents a critical and proactive step in Ethereum’s ongoing evolution to mitigate block builder centralization. By introducing a randomly mandated inclusion list enforced at the consensus layer, the mechanism provides a powerful, trust-minimized backstop for censorship resistance. This innovation ensures that Ethereum’s foundational values remain intact even under extreme market concentration, complementing the structural changes expected with the Glamsterdam upgrade. As the community evaluates this and other solutions, the focus remains on preserving Ethereum’s neutrality, security, and decentralization—attributes essential for its long-term role as a cornerstone of the open digital economy. The debate around FOCIL underscores the sophisticated, principled engineering required to sustain a decentralized ecosystem at scale. FAQs Q1: What is block builder centralization on Ethereum? Block builder centralization refers to a situation where a small number of entities control the process of assembling transaction blocks before they are proposed. This concentration risks censorship, reduced network resilience, and conflicts with Ethereum’s decentralized ideals. Q2: How does FOCIL actually prevent censorship? FOCIL prevents censorship by forcing block builders to include a small, random set of mandated transactions. Builders who omit these transactions have their blocks rejected by the network, suffering a financial penalty. This makes censorship economically irrational. Q3: Is FOCIL part of the upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade? Not necessarily. The Glamsterdam upgrade is expected to enshrine Proposer-Builder Separation (PBS). FOCIL is a separate proposal currently under discussion. The community will decide if it should be included in Glamsterdam or a future upgrade. Q4: Does FOCIL slow down Ethereum or make it more expensive to use? The design aims for minimal impact. By only mandating a very small number of random transactions per block, FOCIL seeks to preserve network efficiency and throughput while adding a powerful censorship-resistance guarantee. Q5: Why is censorship resistance so important for Ethereum? Censorship resistance ensures Ethereum remains a neutral, global platform where any valid transaction can be processed. It is vital for financial freedom, credible neutrality, and protecting users from being excluded by powerful intermediaries or external pressure. This post Ethereum Block Builder Centralization: Buterin’s Crucial FOCIL Proposal to Fortify Censorship Resistance first appeared on BitcoinWorld .

1 Mar 2026, 23:20

Vitalik Buterin Pushes for Deep Protocol Upgrades to Overcome Ethereum’s Core Limitations

Vitalik Buterin prioritizes protocol-layer upgrades over further Layer 2 scaling for Ethereum. Binary tree structures and RISC-V integration aim to boost efficiency and ZK compatibility. Continue Reading: Vitalik Buterin Pushes for Deep Protocol Upgrades to Overcome Ethereum’s Core Limitations The post Vitalik Buterin Pushes for Deep Protocol Upgrades to Overcome Ethereum’s Core Limitations appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .

1 Mar 2026, 15:35

POL Price Prediction Ahead of Polygon’s March 4 Lisovo Hardfork

Polygon will activate the Lisovo hardfork on mainnet before block 83,756,500. The upgrade is expected around 14:00 UTC on March 4, 2026. The announcement comes as POL trades near $0.106 to $0.11 after a recent recovery. At press time, the POL price was trading at $0.1069, a 3.68% surge in the last 24 hours. The Polygon Foundation stated, “The Lisovo hardfork will be released on Polygon mainnet before block number 83756500, at approximately 2pm UTC on Mar 4.” Market participants are now tracking both the network changes and short-term price levels. Polygon Lisovo Hardfork Details and Network Changes The Lisovo upgrade introduces subsidized gas costs for agent-to-agent payments under PIP-82. This aims to support automated transactions and AI-driven activity on-chain. The network is also improving smart contract compatibility through the Count Leading Zeros opcode update. In addition, the upgrade enhances support for passkey-based wallets. It also introduces a more flexible fee adjustment system. These changes are designed to improve transaction delivery and validation reliability. Node operators are required to upgrade their software before activation. The foundation advised operators to update Bor to version v2.6.0 or Erigon to v3.4.0. This step is required to maintain synchronization after the hardfork. Polygon continues to advance its Gigagas roadmap, which targets 100,000 transactions per second. The network recently reported $3.28 billion in stablecoins, marking a new high. Moreover, as we reported , Polygon Brazil’s largest foreign exchange bank expanded its BBRL stablecoin to Polygon (POLY) . Polygon On-Chain Metrics Show Mixed Signals Exchange reserve data shows early signs of stabilization. Reserves have started to flatten, which suggests that large deposits to exchanges may be slowing. Lower reserves often indicate reduced short-term selling pressure. At the same time, the number of withdrawing addresses has declined. Fewer withdrawals suggest that holders are not actively moving tokens. This may reflect a wait-and-see approach before the hardfork. Source: CryptoQuant Mean exchange inflows also dropped over the past 24 hours. Lower inflows can reduce immediate sell pressure. However, reduced activity can also signal weaker demand. These metrics present mixed signals as the hardfork approaches. Traders are therefore focusing on price structure and technical indicators for direction. POL Price Technical Analysis The POL price printed a strong rally in early January and peaked near $0.18 to $0.19. After that, the token entered a corrective phase with lower highs and lower lows. Price later formed a base around $0.09 to $0.10 and then moved into a sideways range. Currently, POL trades within a horizontal range between $0.09 support and $0.12 resistance. The $0.10 level remains a key psychological support. Immediate resistance stands at $0.115 to $0.12, which previously acted as a rejection zone. Source: TradingView The Chaikin Money Flow indicator is near zero. This suggests neutral capital flows and no strong accumulation trend. The MACD indicator is also near the zero line, and the histogram has turned slightly positive. If the POL price closes above $0.12 with sustained momentum, upside targets include $0.14 and $0.15. A move toward $0.18 may follow if buying pressure continues. On the downside, a break below $0.10 could lead to a retest of $0.095 and $0.09.

1 Mar 2026, 09:52

Ethereum Smart Accounts Set to Launch Within a Year, Says Vitalik Buterin

Ethereum’s long-discussed “account abstraction” feature, often described as smart accounts, could arrive within the next year as part of the upcoming Hegota network upgrade , according to Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin. Key Takeaways: Ethereum’s account abstraction (smart accounts) could launch within a year through the Hegota upgrade and EIP-8141. The feature turns wallets into programmable apps, enabling recoverable keys, batch transactions and gas payments in non-ETH tokens. The upgrade aims to improve usability, support privacy tools and prepare the network for future scaling and quantum-resistance needs. Speaking over the weekend, Buterin said the effort, first discussed in 2016, has finally reached a workable design. A new proposal, EIP-8141, bundles together the remaining technical pieces needed to implement the feature across the network. “After over a decade of research and refinement, this looks possible to deploy within a year,” he wrote. Ethereum Account Abstraction Turns Wallets Into Programmable Apps Account abstraction changes how transactions work on Ethereum. Instead of a transaction being a single action signed by a private key, it becomes a structured sequence of “frames.” These frames can reference one another and separately verify authorization, execution and fee payment. In practice, this allows wallets to behave more like programmable applications rather than simple key holders. The framework would enable multi-signature security, recoverable wallets and accounts with changeable keys. A validation step would check the user’s authorization before an execution step processes the transaction itself. The model also supports batch operations and transaction sponsorship, meaning fees could be handled by another party. One of the most notable implications is the ability to pay gas fees without holding Ether. Through a paymaster contract or a decentralized exchange mechanism that provides ETH in real time, users could cover transaction costs with other tokens. Now, account abstraction. We have been talking about account abstraction ever since early 2016, see the original EIP-86: https://t.co/HYLSTLHgWH Now, we finally have EIP-8141 ( https://t.co/jYqeS55j6P ), an omnibus that wraps up and solves every remaining problem that AA was… — vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) February 28, 2026 Buterin said eliminating reliance on centralized intermediaries is consistent with Ethereum’s cypherpunk design philosophy. The change may also ease usability issues faced by privacy tools. Current privacy protocols often rely on public transaction broadcasters, which can introduce friction. A general-purpose mempool could replace those intermediaries, improving the experience for applications such as Railgun and Tornado Cash-style systems. The upgrade is expected to apply to both new and existing accounts, allowing the entire network to operate under a unified framework. Developers also anticipate improved automation, scheduled transactions and complex contract interactions managed directly at the wallet level. Buterin also outlined a longer-term roadmap focused on preparing the network for future threats. He recently described plans to introduce quantum-resistant protections covering validator signatures, stored data, user authentication and zero-knowledge proofs. The scaling roadmap further includes gradual reductions in block slot time and finality time to speed up transaction confirmation. Vitalik Backs Anti-Censorship Upgrade Ahead of Ethereum’s 2026 Hegota Fork Last week, Buterin endorsed the Fork-Choice Enforced Inclusion Lists (FOCIL) upgrade , a major protocol change planned for the 2026 Hegota hard fork. The proposal is designed to prevent transaction censorship by requiring validators to include all valid transactions in blocks, reinforcing Ethereum’s neutrality and cypherpunk principles. FOCIL addresses growing centralization concerns after some validators filtered transactions linked to sanctioned services such as Tornado Cash. Under the new rules, blocks that ignore valid transactions would be rejected by the network, ensuring public-mempool transactions settle within a defined timeframe and giving privacy protocols and smart-account transactions the same treatment as normal Ether transfers. The post Ethereum Smart Accounts Set to Launch Within a Year, Says Vitalik Buterin appeared first on Cryptonews .

1 Mar 2026, 05:58

Bitcoin Dev Martin Habovštiak tests network limits targeting BIP-110 claims

A Bitcoin developer, Martin Habovštiak, encoded a 66-kilobyte image onto the Bitcoin blockchain in a single, uninterrupted entry, pushing back against supporters of BIP 110 and Bitcoin Knots. BIP-110 is an anti-spam proposal that would restrict non-payment-related data in transactions. The proposal sets out seven new criteria for transaction validity, restrictions on the amount of data allowed in specific parts of a transaction, and bans certain opcodes. The image Habovštiak inscribed portrays Luke Dashjr, a key advocate of BIP-110, crying. The Slovak developer did not include OP_RETURN opcodes and OP_IF instructions Habovštiak asserted on X: “I made a contiguous image file that can be misinterpreted by the BIP-110 Bitcoin fork as an entire transaction and contiguously stored in the BIP-110-compliant chain!” In another post , he defended the timing of the image and explained why he didn’t do this when BIP-110 first surfaced, arguing that validating the proof on mainnet is far more difficult — and more compelling — than an earlier demonstration would have been. So far, much of the online community is mostly impressed that the BTC developer’s transaction did not use OP_RETURN opcodes, skipped Taproot in favor of SegWit v0, and included no OP_IF statements. Ideally, BIP-110 primarily focuses on restricting these elements, and thus Habovštiak claims his approach proves the limitations can be bypassed. However, a user on X challenged the claim, saying the transaction isn’t contiguous in the way that actually counts at the protocol level . Habovštiak later responded , saying the critic was using a selective definition of the term. Habovštiak claims BIP restriction would only increase the amount of data stored on the blockchain Habovštiak’s transaction comes at a time when there’s still tension between Bitcoin Core and Bitcoin Knots over which types of data should be allowed in Bitcoin. BIP-110 was first presented as BIP-444 in October 2025 and outlined a one-year soft fork that would enforce an 83-byte cap on OP_RETURN, restrict individual data pushes to 256 bytes, and limit other large-data scripting capabilities. Most proponents of the proposal believe arbitrary data will create liability issues for node operators and distract from Bitcoin’s monetary purpose. Since 2023, Luke Dashjr — CTO of the Ocean mining pool and developer of Bitcoin Knots — has been calling arbitrary Bitcoin inscriptions spam and is now advocating for the BIP-110. In response to the Slovak’s latest transaction, he further contended that it was not truly “contiguous.” Nonetheless, Habovštiak claimed he created another version of the transaction that adhered to the constraints of BIP-110, but it was significantly larger than the original. He thus contends that the plan would only paradoxically augment the total data stored on BTC’s blockchain. He also noted this experiment was meant to be a one-time proof-of-concept, and he deliberately kept the code private to avoid encouraging NFT-style usage. He’s now framed himself as an opponent of blockchain spam and is motivated by what he views as inaccuracies from the Knots camp. He commented, “There’s something I hate much more than spam: Untruths. I tried arguing about this in the past, showed a contiguous image encoded to fit into the witness, and yet, the Knots supporters are still saying the same stuff over and over.” So far, data from The Bitcoin Portal shows that 8.8% of nodes currently back BIP-110. The Bitcoin Knots node count has also seen a significant uptick; it is now 10 times what it was at the beginning of last year. Get seen where it counts. Advertise in Cryptopolitan Research and reach crypto’s sharpest investors and builders.