Peercoin v0.15 Released!
We are pleased to announce the release of Peercoin v0.15. Check below for details about the fork activation and a summary explaining new features.
Soft Fork Details
There are two ways to update a blockchain. First is the hard fork, where all previous versions of the reference software are proclaimed obsolete and can no longer participate in consensus. The second is “softer”: soft fork. Soft forks add features without breaking existing consensus rules.
In a soft fork, nodes that do not update can still process blocks and share history with the rest of the network, but they will not be able to use newly added features.
APO soft fork activation will occur once both of the following conditions are met:
- 75% of the last 1,000 blocks are version 6.
- March 12, 2025, 12:00 UTC has passed (earliest date network can fork).
You can keep track of the progress of the soft fork here.
Peercoin’s Upcoming Layer 2
If you are unfamiliar with terminology like DLCs in the below summary on v0.15, then it’s likely that you have missed out on previous announcements by the Peercoin Foundation about its work on a unique layer 2 solution.
ROAST, which just had its first successful test, is a protocol that enables massive swarms of hundreds or thousands to collectively sign Peercoin transactions. ROAST can be used to create distributed oracles, entities that verify real world events, triggering private smart contracts (DLCs) to execute. To simplify, the on-chain smart contract gets executed by an off-chain distributed oracle, with final settlement taking place on-chain. This drastically reduces on-chain data usage, transaction fees, and block space requirements, effectively scaling the host blockchain by handling contract execution and complex multi-party coordination off the main ledger.
This new technology stack is being developed for Peercoin and integrated with the Flutter wallet to deliver a mobile-first user experience and facilitate the idea of peer-to-peer consensus in its true sense, where “peer” is human.
If you want to catch up on all this, here are some materials on the subject. We recommend watching this example video first to give you an idea of how the tech can be used. The video describes how the tech can be used to operate prediction/betting markets, but ROAST has unlimited potential for all kinds of things, cross-chain bridges, federated sidechains, minting pools, etc… The rest of the material below will help give you a fuller understanding if you wish to dive deeper:
- Roadmap Part 1 & 2. (March 27, 2024)
- ROAST Presentation.pdf (Nov 18, 2024)
- First successful test of ROAST (Jan 28, 2025)
- Weighted Threshold Signatures (Feb 13, 2025)
v0.15 Summary on APO
The ANYPREVOUT (APO) soft-fork for Peercoin, based on Bitcoin’s BIP-118 proposal, introduces a powerful new way to structure transactions in Discreet Log Contracts (DLCs). By allowing the creation of two or more Contract Execution Transactions (CETs) before the DLC funding transaction, APO ensures that all outcomes are secured from the outset. This eliminates the need for time-sensitive coordination or trust between parties once the DLC is funded, as each participant’s signatures remain valid only for the designated funding transaction.
Beyond DLCs, APO opens up opportunities for experimentation with advanced layer-two solutions like Eltoo and Statechains. APO is a powerful building block. By decoupling transaction signatures from a specific input’s exact ID, it allows for new contract designs and scripting patterns that were either overly complex or outright impossible under the traditional transaction model.
Upgrading
Before installation, make sure to backup your wallet from the main menu.
You only need to upgrade if you’re using the core reference wallet and you are an active minter. The v0.15 wallet can be downloaded from the top of the wallets page. Instructions for upgrading are provided below the download links. More download options can be found on GitHub. If you need help with installation, leave a comment below.
Contributors
Big thanks to volunteers who have made this release possible:
- @backpacker69 - Core Development
- @peerchemist - Project Management
- @MatthewLM - Code review and testing
- ihavenoface - GUIX build system
Donate
Please remember that these developments are sponsored by the Peercoin Foundation, which in turn is sponsored by generous community donations.
Support
To stay informed, you can follow the latest Peercoin news on our forum, our Twitter, or Reddit. If you want to come chat or need help, come say hi to our team and community on Telegram/Discord.
