Bitcoin Q&A: Layered Scaling and Privacy
Channel: aantonop
Date: 2018-01-24

How should Bitcoin, as a network protocol, be scaled through a layered architecture? One of the fundamental principles of network protocol design is to have separation between the layers so they don't bleed into each other with unintended side-effects. These are the same principles in software engineering, where your goal is to create functions that first do one thing as simply as possible, and the build more complex abstractions using those primitives (once they are proven reliable). This ensures predictability of performance and security. When the internet and World Wide Web were built, the layers were not quite as separate as they should have been; the consequence is an immeasurable lack of privacy (or "fungibility of packets"). Retro-fitting it on top has not been easy or effective.

Chapters
0:00 I wanted to ask, what do you think separates the secondary protocol from the first layer? Why is Lightning not the base protocol? Do you think the base protocol should be both, or freeze? What is your vision for Bitcoin 1.0?
0:39 One of the fundamental principles when designing protocols is to have separation between layers
1:21 When you write a function, you want the function to do one thing, as simply as possible, with zero side-effects
2:18 Some layers are not quite as separated as they should be
3:42 Fungibility and privacy with strong guarantees and simple primitives

This talk took place at the Riga Art Space for the Baltic Honeybadger conference on November 25th 2017 in Riga, Latvia: https://antonopoulos.com/event/baltic-honeybadger-2017/

Watch the rest of the talk here: https://youtu.be/n4F-h4xuXMk

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Andreas M. Antonopoulos is a technologist and serial entrepreneur who has become one of the most well-known and respected figures in bitcoin.

Follow on Twitter: @aantonop https://twitter.com/aantonop
Website: https://antonopoulos.com/

He is the author of two books: “Mastering Bitcoin,” published by O’Reilly Media and considered the best technical guide to bitcoin; “The Internet of Money,” a book about why bitcoin matters.

THE INTERNET OF MONEY, v1: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Internet-Money-collection-Andreas-Antonopoulos/dp/1537000454/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

[NEW] THE INTERNET OF MONEY, v2: https://www.amazon.com/Internet-Money-Andreas-M-Antonopoulos/dp/194791006X/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Highlights from "The Internet of Money" (Volume 2): https://youtu.be/Qkjm5E5BeB8

MASTERING BITCOIN: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mastering-Bitcoin-Unlocking-Digital-Cryptocurrencies/dp/1449374042

[NEW] MASTERING BITCOIN, 2nd Edition: https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Bitcoin-Programming-Open-Blockchain/dp/1491954388

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If you want early-access to talks and a chance to participate in a monthly LIVE Q&A with Andreas, become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/aantonop

Music: "Unbounded" by Orfan (https://www.facebook.com/Orfan/)
Outro Graphics: Phneep (http://www.phneep.com/)
Outro Art: Rock Barcellos (http://www.rockincomics.com.br/)
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