Description

Summary: In this episode, Christine is joined by Murch of Localhost Research for a Bitcoin development update. They kick off the episode with brief remarks on the differences in client funding dynamics between Bitcoin and Ethereum. Murch then walks through the Bitcoin Core v32 branch-off, including the per-release updates to assumevalid and other defaults. Finally, Murch and Christine discuss software security in the age of AI, covering how Bitcoin Core contributors are adapting their workflows to use AI at the individual-contributor and project level.

This episode was recorded on September 16, 2026. 

Timestamps:

(0:50) Plug for TabConf 2026

(3:24) Murch’s views on the Ethereum client funding crisis

(9:23) Bitcoin Core v32 branch off 

(20:37) AI’s role in the Bitcoin Core release cycle

(28:45) Bitcoin Core’s response to the influx of AI-generated security reports

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