Bitcoin developers have released a test version (v31.0rc4) of their software. This significant update, following version 30.2, is now available for developers, those who run Bitcoin nodes, and testers to review. The Bitcoin Core Project shared details about the release on X (formerly Twitter).
New privacy enhancements through Tor and I2P networks
A recent update to how Bitcoin transactions are handled affects researchers, miners, and those who provide wallet services. This change involves the ‘mempool,’ which is essentially a holding area where transactions wait to be added to the blockchain by miners.
This update improves how transactions are chosen for each block, making fees more efficient and better handling complicated transaction groups. Instead of setting restrictions, the new system groups transactions together.
By default, this system processes up to 64 transactions per cluster, with a total size of 101 kB. This helps the system prioritize transactions based on how much each user is willing to pay. Users can also replace transactions they’ve already submitted with new ones that offer higher fees, which improves the overall efficiency of the transaction pool.
A test version of Bitcoin Core, version 31.0rc4, is now available. This is a significant update following version 30.2. You can find preliminary release notes and download the software at the links provided.
— Bitcoin Core Project (@bitcoincoreorg) April 11, 2026
As a researcher, I’ve been looking into the latest Bitcoin node software, version 31, and I’ve found some really useful improvements. It now offers enhanced privacy features, more accurate fee predictions, and overall better performance. These changes should make using Bitcoin more efficient and secure.
As a crypto investor, I’m really liking the privacy improvements here. It looks like transactions now *have* to go through Tor or I2P, which is a big deal. Unlike before, this effectively hides your IP address, making it much harder for anyone to track your transactions or connect them back to you. If you’re running your own Bitcoin node, this is a significant boost to your privacy.
To speed up how quickly nodes connect and verify blocks, we’ve increased the default database cache size from 450 MB to 1,024 MB. This improvement requires systems to have at least 4 GB of RAM to work effectively.
We’ve removed some older features – like ‘paytxfee’, ‘maxorphantx’, and the original Tor network label – to make the software easier to use and less prone to errors. These changes help streamline things and prevent confusion.
Testing phase begins ahead of final release
Bitcoin’s latest software update, version 31, focuses on making transactions more efficient and private. It will speed up how quickly blocks are verified, leading to better performance and more reliable transaction fee calculations.
The development team wants node operators, miners, and infrastructure providers to try out the new version before it’s officially launched. This testing will help make sure everything runs smoothly for everyone.
JAN3 CEO Samson Mow recently addressed worries about the potential threat of quantum computers to Bitcoin. He pointed out that researchers are already developing ways to protect Bitcoin transactions from these future threats.
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2026-04-11 14:39