Every once in a while, a network upgrade comes along that isn’t just about patching bugs or improving performance – it’s about redefining how the ecosystem evolves. That’s why Rootstock Upgrade 8.0.0 comes in.
Why Rootstock Upgrade Matters
Unlike minor updates, Rootstock Upgrade changes the very consensus rules of the network. That means staying on older versions simply isn’t an option if you want to remain in sync with the rest of the chain. The upgrade has already been scheduled and activated at:
- Mainnet: Block 8,052,200
- Testnet: Block 6,835,700
From a broader perspective, This upgrade represents Rootstock’s push to become more resilient, cost-efficient, and developer-friendly.
The Highlights of Upgrade 8.0.0
Strengthening the Peg with More Security
The upgrade expands the PowPeg signatory set to 20 participants. Why does that matter? Because the peg between Bitcoin and RSK is the backbone of the ecosystem. More signatories mean greater decentralization, stronger security, and reduced risks around custodial points of failure.
On top of that, the cost of peg-out transactions has been lowered. This makes moving BTC out of the network more efficient, which is a win for users and businesses alike.
Cryptography at Scale
Another big milestone is the addition of precompiled contracts for Secp256k1 curve operations – specifically, addition and scalar multiplication. For developers, this is huge: it reduces the computational overhead of cryptographic calculations, making it easier and cheaper to implement advanced use cases like zk-proofs or more sophisticated DeFi logic.
Shaping the Future with RSKIPs
Rootstock Upgrade bundles several important proposals:
- RSKIP-305: Peg-out efficiency improvement with SegWit.
- RSKIP-516: Precompiled contracts for Secp256k1 math.
- RSKIP-518: The formal definition of the RSK network upgrade.
Each of these proposals addresses real pain points and unlocks new opportunities for developers and users alike.
What This Means for the Ecosystem
Taken together, these changes push RSK closer to being the most secure, Bitcoin-powered smart contract platform out there. Lower fees, stronger security, and better developer tooling all translate into a healthier environment for dApps, DeFi protocols, and enterprise adoption.
NOWNodes and RSK: Ready from Block One
At NOWNodes, we know that network reliability is everything. That’s why we were ready for this upgrade the moment it went live. Our RSK nodes were upgraded immediately, ensuring our partners and developers experienced no downtime, no interruptions, and no uncertainty.
We see this upgrade not just as a technical milestone, but as a signal of Rootstock’s long-term commitment to innovation. And we’re proud to stand alongside our partners, providing the infrastructure that makes it all possible.
