Marscoin Synchronizes with Bitcoin Core 28.x and Introduces Merged Mining
The Marscoin™ development team is pleased to announce a comprehensive upgrade of the core software, bringing our codebase in line with Bitcoin Core 28.x while preserving and enhancing Marscoin’s distinctive features. This major version update represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to maintaining a robust, secure, and forward-looking blockchain infrastructure.
Technical Overview
Modernized Core Architecture
The Marscoin™ codebase has been extensively updated to incorporate the mature and battle-tested infrastructure of Bitcoin Core 28.x. This significant engineering effort ensures that Marscoin benefits from years of Bitcoin Core development while maintaining its unique characteristics and feature set (removal of RBF, scrypt algorithm etc). The new implementation is available at https://github.com/marscoin/marscoin, with the previous version preserved at https://github.com/marscoin/marscoin-archive for reference and research purposes.
This architectural modernization brings substantial improvements to Marscoin’s core functionality. Memory management has been significantly enhanced, leading to more efficient operation of nodes across various hardware configurations. The network layer has undergone extensive refinement, improving peer-to-peer communication reliability and reducing the likelihood of network partitioning events. These improvements are particularly crucial as we prepare for increased network activity with the introduction of merged mining.
Our cryptographic foundation has been strengthened through the integration of updated libraries, ensuring continued resilience against emerging security challenges. The consensus rule validation system has been reinforced, maintaining the network’s integrity while preparing for future protocol enhancements. Additionally, the peer management system has been overhauled to provide more robust connection handling and improved network topology.
AuxPoW Implementation
The integration of Auxiliary Proof of Work (AuxPoW) marks a significant technical advancement for the Marscoin network. This implementation enables merged mining with other Scrypt-based cryptocurrencies, including Litecoin and Dogecoin. Our engineering team has carefully designed the AuxPoW implementation to maintain full compatibility with existing Scrypt mining infrastructure while minimizing additional overhead for mining pools.
The technical architecture ensures that block validation efficiency remains high, even with the added complexity of merged mining verification. We’ve paid particular attention to preserving our characteristic 2-minute (123 seconds) block target timing, implementing sophisticated timestamp handling to manage the interplay between parent and auxiliary chains. The result is a seamless integration that allows miners to secure multiple networks simultaneously without compromising the unique properties of any individual chain.
ASERT Algorithm Integration Status
The ASERT difficulty adjustment algorithm has proven remarkably effective since its implementation in our previous update. Network monitoring shows consistent block times even during periods of significant hashrate volatility. This stability has been particularly evident in recent weeks, as we’ve observed block times maintaining their target spacing despite hashrate fluctuations of up to 300% during testing periods.
The algorithm’s performance provides a solid foundation for our transition to merged mining, as it can readily adapt to the increased hashrate variability that typically accompanies AuxPoW integration. Our monitoring systems have shown that block time variance has decreased by approximately 47% since the ASERT implementation, creating a more predictable and reliable network for all participants.
Technical Implementation Timeline
The activation process for these updates has been carefully designed to ensure a smooth transition for all network participants. The new codebase is available for immediate download and testing, with our development team actively pushing minor refinements and optimizations throughout the next week. These incremental updates focus on edge case handling and performance optimization based on early testing feedback.
The AuxPoW activation is scheduled for block 3,145,555, chosen specifically to allow adequate preparation time for all network participants. The activation mechanism utilizes a time-based soft fork, ensuring backward compatibility while providing a clear upgrade path. We anticipate a transition period of approximately two weeks post-activation, during which the network will stabilize under the new merged mining paradigm.
Integration Guidelines
For Mining Pools
Mining pool operators play a crucial role in this transition. We’ve prepared comprehensive stratum protocol specifications that detail the necessary changes for AuxPoW support. Our testing framework includes a complete regression testing suite, allowing pools to verify their implementations in a controlled environment before the main network activation.
For Exchanges
Exchange operators will find updated transaction validation rules that account for the new block structure introduced by AuxPoW. We’ve introduced new RPC methods specifically designed to handle AuxPoW block validation, ensuring exchanges can maintain their security standards while supporting the upgraded network. Our documentation includes recommended upgrade schedules and testing procedures to minimize any potential disruption to trading activities.
For Node Operators
We’ve streamlined the upgrade process for node operators by providing thoroughly tested binary releases for major operating systems. For those who prefer to compile from source, we’ve enhanced our build documentation with detailed instructions and troubleshooting guides.
Technical Continuity
The Marscoin™ project continues to advance while maintaining its core principles and architectural decisions. Our commitment to 2-minute block times has proven prescient, providing an optimal balance between transaction confirmation speed and network stability. The ASERT difficulty adjustment algorithm continues to demonstrate its effectiveness, particularly as we prepare for the new dynamics introduced by merged mining.
Our general stance on ASIC resistance remains unchanged, as we believe in maintaining a distributed and accessible mining network (see roadmap). This philosophy becomes even more relevant with the introduction of merged mining, as it allows smaller miners to participate in securing multiple networks simultaneously. Looking forward, our approach to on-chain scaling through dynamic block sizes positions us well for growing adoption and increased transaction volumes.
Development Resources and Support
We’ve undertaken a comprehensive update of our technical documentation to support this major release. The API documentation now includes detailed examples and use cases, particularly focusing on the new AuxPoW-related functionality. Our build instructions have been refined based on community feedback, making the compilation process more straightforward for developers working across different platforms.
The merge mining setup guides provide step-by-step instructions for both pool operators and individual miners, including detailed explanations of the underlying mechanisms. Network upgrade specifications have been documented with particular attention to edge cases and backward compatibility considerations.
Verification and Security
Security remains paramount in this update. The entire source code is available under the MIT license, allowing for transparent review and adaptation. Our deterministic build systems ensure that all participants can verify the integrity of their installations. The comprehensive test suites cover both existing functionality and new features, with particular emphasis on the AuxPoW implementation.
Future Development
This update lays a strong foundation for Marscoin’s continued evolution. The improved codebase architecture facilitates the introduction of advanced features while maintaining network stability. We’re particularly excited about the possibilities for enhanced network resilience and improved transaction throughput that this update enables (click here for more details on our comprehensive roadmap).
The upgraded testing frameworks provide better coverage and faster feedback cycles, accelerating our development process while maintaining high quality standards. These improvements will be particularly valuable as we continue to enhance Marscoin’s capabilities as a platform for Martian economics.
Community and Support
The international character of Marscoin is reflected in our support structure. The development team maintains active presence in our GitHub repository and Telegram channels, providing direct assistance to network participants during this transition.
Fast sync
For a faster resync of the blockchain feel free to use our official snapshot site to speed up the process:
Acknowledgments
This update represents countless hours of work from our core developers and contributors across the globe. The core protocol development team has worked tirelessly to ensure a smooth integration of the Bitcoin Core improvements while preserving Marscoin’s unique characteristics. Our testing and quality assurance volunteers have been instrumental in validating the new functionality across a wide range of scenarios.
We encourage all network participants to review the technical documentation and begin their upgrade preparations. The source code and full technical documentation are available at:
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- Current repository: https://github.com/marscoin/marscoin
Technical discussions and questions are welcome through our official channels.
Contact: info@marscoin.org