#ETFWatch Rootstock's "Lovell" Update Enhances Bitcoin Sidechain Functionality and Speed

Rootstock, a Bitcoin sidechain focused on smart contracts, launched its "Lovell" update on March 13, introducing improvements in scalability, security, transaction efficiency, and speed.

Key features of the update include:

* Reduced Gas Fees: A 60% reduction in gas fees, achieved through collaboration with combined mining partners, benefiting users and dApp developers.

* Enhanced PowPeg Bridge Security: Strengthened security of the native PowPeg bridge, connecting Bitcoin to Rootstock, via pre-transaction checks.

* Increased Decentralization: Preparations to expand the PowPeg signer (pegnatario) count from 9 to 60, potentially positioning Rootstock as a highly decentralized sidechain.

* Reinforced EVM Compatibility: Enhanced compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), facilitating dApp development leveraging Bitcoin's security.

* Faster Transaction Protocol: Development of a new fast transaction protocol to reduce block times from 30 to 5 seconds, enabling near-instant confirmations.

Daniel Fogg, CEO of RootstockLabs, stated that the "Lovell" update makes Rootstock a more competitive and accessible Layer 2 solution within the Bitcoin ecosystem.