Experts say that bitcoin’s dependence on the five remaining developers is a myth

Following a recent spike in media interest, CoinShares has decided to go into more detail about the key processes involved in updating bitcoin software to dispel the fear that bitcoin is controlled by five people.

Bitcoin Core is the open-source software that powers the bitcoin network. It is managed and updated by a large group of interested people and is a direct descendant of the original BTC client software released by Сатоші Накамото" href="https://noworries.media/biography/satoshi-nakamoto/" data-bio-id="4232">Satoshi Nakamoto.

One of the key points of confusion around Bitcoin Core is the process of changing its code. Although there is a group of «project maintainers»(currently five) with access to committees, it is a misconception that only they can make changes to the code. In fact, the merging of changes that they do is simply the last step in a long process.

Peer review is a critical component of the development process, especially in the case of security or consensus changes. This review process can take many days or even years, during which the author of a code change accepts suggestions from his or her colleagues, makes changes and adjustments until there are no relevant logical objections. Project maintainers also have to go through the same peer review process when submitting their proposals.

In addition to their role as «moderators,» project maintainers perform critical reviews to ensure that patches are safe and meet project goals. However, the development process does not depend only on these 5 people. The development and approval of Bitcoin Core is led by a large and diverse group of contributors who work together to ensure that the software is secure, reliable, and up-to-date.

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