The Bitcoin Test Network (TBTC) needs to be partially rebooted due to the ongoing "block storms" that are caused by the "unique" consensus mechanism. This was stated by co-founder and CTO Casa Jameson Lopp in a new essay.
While the main blockchain of the first cryptocurrency produces an average of 144 blocks per day, the testnet processes about 10,000. As a result, TBTC has reached a height of #2,811,000, where the main network will be located in 2062.
Lopp noted that in TBTC, the remuneration for miners was reduced to almost zero, which made it practically unusable for developers.
According to the expert, the test network is also flooded with projects that speculate on the shortage of coins.
"Attackers often take advantage of people's naivety and sell them testnet bitcoins at the exchange rate on the main network," he added.
For example, the second-tier SatoshiVM network used TBTC to distribute airdrop within the community, thereby creating fake value to the test asset for its own purposes.
Lopp mentioned the MotoSwap and Buy Tesnet projects, which also sell test bitcoins.
"The only reason I'm in favor of restarting the test network is because it should be free for developers. In addition, everyone has the right to use the testnet for any purpose within the framework of creating projects," stressed the co—founder of Casa.
He also suggested adding a "bold warning" that the coins of the test network have no value.
In his opinion, the only way to guarantee the benefits of the testnet is to "instill a culture of regular reboots." Lopp advised developers and users to migrate their infrastructure to "testnet4" in the coming months.
In October 2023, the technical director of Casa called for more active experimentation with bitcoin as part of the creation of sidechains to expand and improve the ecosystem.
Recall that in September, Lopp drew the attention of the community to the concept of a second-level Spiderchain solution based on the first cryptocurrency from Botanix Labs and noted its advantages.