Arborist Call #92 | R&D Updates
The Zcash Arborist Calls are bi-weekly protocol development meetings focused on tracking upcoming protocol deployment logistics, consensus node implementation issues, and protocol research.
This summary focuses on the last call that took place on 12/12/2024
Following up on NU6 to start the meeting:
There have been issues with the @Ledger live shielded app due to NU6 - it is now being resolved.
Pacu is also communicating with @TrustWallet and @Exodus for their eagerly expected NU6 updates.
Zashi and ECC Wallet SDK’s @KeystoneWallet integration is the highest priority for the team.
Release by Christmas would be ideal although it depends on Keystone firmware changes, and whether there are any bug fixes their side.
Updates with @Str4d
The v1 PCZT format is now complete! It is compatible with v5 transaction format. It cannot do v4 transactions as it was not specified as necessary on the timeline.
No fields for FROST or speculative support for ZSAs (v6 tx format has not been finalised)
In parallel with defining the v6 transaction format, the ElectricCoinCo team plans to define a v2 PCZT format that has support of ZSAs for incremental construction of shielded assets, in addition to $ZEC transactions.
Zebra Updates with @upbqdn
The main update shared was release of Zebra 2.1.0. The mininum protocol version now updated so Zebra will not communicate with outdate peers even during initial sync.
There was a bug in the transaction verifier that appeared following NU6 activation.
The consensus branch ID field in V5 transactions was not being checked correctly - transactions with this field set to the NU5 consensus branch ID would make it into Zebra’s mempool post NU6.
Bug has now been fixed as part of 2.1.0
Another feature that made it into 2.1.0 release is verifcation of transactions that spend mempool UTXOs adding support for TEX transactions.
An additional check on block template will be added to a future release.
General framework for the zcashd replacement wallet app is in the Zcash Wallet repo.
Next steps will be building up the framework for the binary that runs around the zcash client backend based interface.
The plan is to ensure that the architecture for how sends are done directly leverages PCZTs giving instant hardware wallet support!
Zebra team has been building out the RPC methods that are needed to support use cases, that aren’t currently exposed.
Coming into force early next year the next zcashd release will mark all RPC methods that are not intended to migrate as deprecated.
This will not have an immediate negative effect but allow users to test their stacks for any breaks.
One idea noted for acceleration of zcashd deprecation outreach is to set a specific config flag for operation.
‘‘Confirm awareness zcashd is going away=1’’
It would also include an email address/google form to contact Pacu requesting any RPCs be included in replacement.
The team has finished items needed for real-world usage of the FROST server and FROST client, a tool that integrates with the server.
Review has been completed on support for multiple sessions and removing contacts and groups.
An audit of both the FROST server and the client code it will interact with is upcoming. Also as PCZTs are to be released, the team may look into creating a tool that can sign FROST transactions.
@ShieldedLabs completed the first pass of defining the scoping, and created a list of target engineering deliverables.
These include:
A Full Node with appropriate APIs.
A tool to Run a validator, likely to be bundled with the Full Node.
A tool that can do Stake Delegations.
Other deliverables include a suite of documentation in which feedback is requested and engaging with stakeholders such as wallet vendors, exchanges & potential early validators.
Full post from @nate_zec:
Jason McGee noting Shielded Labs will develop further on ZIP 234, smoothing the issuance curve + ZIP 235, burning 60% of transactions fees behind two separate feature flags.
An experiemental poll of coinholders returned unanimous support for the NSM with -250,000 ZEC used.
The ZIP editors recommendation was to include 223.. Jon Rouach adding that if ZIP 233 will proceed, it must be confirmed asap due to its interaction with ZSA’s.
ZIP editors have given their view on a suitable compatible set of updates for NU7.
ZSAs are ready to merge into Zcash! The audit by Least Authority found no major issues.
Next steps: ensure no consensus changes to NU6 & run the Zebra ZSA node and transaction tool live for backward compatibility. Audit reports ‘‘High-quality work’’ congrats to @qeditzkp.
Join the Zcash Shielded Assets (ZSA) Community Call on Thursday December 19th to see the demo!
Str4d announced the zecsqlit CLI wallet now being available: a simple, command-driven tool for testing.
(not persistent process). Seed phrases are encrypted on disk with an age key, enabling integration with YubiKey for added security!.
Also, a Dev Summit is planned for March 22 in Sofia, Bulgaria - Just before @zkproof
Join the Zcash engineers for Real World Crypto, hacks, and ZK proof event.
Thanks for Reading!
