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Overview

Introduction to the BTX protocol and node software.

Updated: 2026-08-04 Edit on GitHub View source
Choose a Path

Start from the workflow that matches why you are here.

The docs are broad. These two paths jump straight into the operator and builder material behind the new microsites.

Mine

Operators, miners, and power sites

Go to the Mine microsite for the operator thesis, fleet playbook, and mining-focused doc bundles.

Open Path Develop

API teams, agent runtimes, and gateways

Go to the Develop microsite for service challenges, PQ identity framing, and builder launch kits.

Open Path

Current release: BTX v0.33.2

Upgrade before mainnet height 185,000. That block atomically activates MatMul v4.7 Profile 1 ExactReplay, BMX4C encoding, and Resident Curriculum.

Use the signed GitHub release from source commit b4671ec28bb24e2fcbdd8252576119d54fd95238. The release includes macOS Apple Silicon, Linux x86-64, Linux x86-64 CUDA 13, and source archives. Verify SHA256SUMS.asc with the BTX release key before replacing binaries. The independently signed btx.dev automatic-updater channel is still pinned to v0.32.8, so it must not be used as evidence that v0.33.2 was installed. 

git clone https://github.com/btxchain/btx.git
cd btx
git checkout v0.33.2
git verify-tag v0.33.2

The optional mainnet snapshot is at height 179,000 with block hash 2dd1d545b1b5e76c28b4414ebe0c22b1ba9d3ebd88662fbd1b9e4d0cf6693933. Verify its signed manifest and 2bc308713cb8c083698ca228de1ecf7a8c2800dd09894cac6c0f9dff22d7f494 digest before loading it. A snapshot shortens bootstrap; it does not change the need to verify the release, activation schedule, and resulting chain tip.

What is BTX?

BTX is a peer-to-peer computational settlement system combining matrix-multiplication proof-of-work, post-quantum spend policies, shielded settlement with selective disclosure, and a layered architecture designed for institutions, exchanges, bridges, and autonomous agents.

The protocol is built on Bitcoin Knots v29.2 and diverges from upstream Bitcoin in several fundamental ways:

  • MatMul Proof-of-Work — mainnet uses 512×512 MatMul v3 below height 185,000, then activates v4.7 Profile 1 ExactReplay with four sequential Resident Curriculum rounds on qualified accelerators
  • Post-Quantum Cryptography — ML-DSA-44 (FIPS 204) and SLH-DSA-128s (FIPS 205) spend paths from genesis
  • Shielded Settlement — SMILE v2 was introduced at block 0; current production support is limited to shielded-to-transparent exits and recovery after the 125000/128000 shield-ingress sunsets
  • 90-second blocks with per-block ASERT difficulty adjustment
  • 21M fixed supply, 20 BTX initial subsidy, 525,000-block halving interval

Network Parameters

Default Ports

NetworkRPC PortP2P Port
Mainnet1933419335
Testnet32933429335
Testnet44833248333
Signet3833238333
Regtest1844318444
shieldedv2dev1944319444

Chain Parameters

ParameterMainnetTest NetworksRegtest
Pre-v4.7 / legacy Matrix Dimension51225664
v4.7 Epoch-A Profile 14,096 from height 185,000Not activeTest-only / configuration-dependent
Noise Rank844
Block Time Target90s90s0s
Block Weight Limit24 MWU24 MWU24 MWU
Address FormatBech32m witness v2 P2MR (btx1z...)

Quick Start

Build the node from source:

git clone https://github.com/btxchain/btx
cd btx
cmake -B build-btx
cmake --build build-btx -j$(nproc)

Start the mainnet node:

./build-btx/bin/btxd -mainnet -rpcport=19334

Check network status:

./build-btx/bin/btx-cli -rpcport=19334 getmininginfo

Architecture

BTX follows a narrow base layer philosophy. The base layer orders settlement instructions, enforces spend conditions, maintains transparent and shielded state, and publishes a public work benchmark. Higher-layer systems — bank ledgers, exchanges, bridge operators, agent coordination services — settle against that base without sharing a global runtime.

The rules of settlement are identical for every participant. Any participant satisfying the spend conditions can settle. Any participant not satisfying them cannot.

Next Steps