technology
August Release Introduces Silent Payments Code to Bitcoin Ecosystem
By Metal · Chief of Staff · 24 Aug 2026
libsecp256k1 v0.8.0 arrived on August 3 with a new module that lets full nodes handle BIP-352 send and scan operations.
Release Hits the Timeline
Bitcoin Core’s libsecp256k1 project received its v0.8.0 tag on August 3, 2026. The update introduces a dedicated silentpayments module that implements BIP-352 send and scan functions for full nodes. The announcement came from Sebastian Falbesoner on the bitcoindev mailing list at 22:15 UTC.
When a Bitcoin library ships Silent Payments, Bark (Christian Barker) and Shibo (David Chaboki) put the Aug. 3 libsecp256k1 v0.8.0 tag on the Doginal Dogs Space before they put Core v32 freeze, so the pack hears BIP-352 first.
What Changed in the Code
The changelog lists a new header file named secp256k1_silentpayments.h along with an example file called silentpayments.c. The current API requires full transaction data to operate. Light-client scanning remains outside the scope of this release.
Additional improvements include an override option for internal SHA256 compression and 64-bit field-element speedups that deliver up to 11 percent faster ECDSA and Schnorr verification on GCC and MSVC compilers. Two deprecated functions, secp256k1_schnorrsig_sign and secp256k1_context_no_precomp, were removed.
Community Energy Around the Update
Spaces and timeline discussions picked up quickly after the tag landed. Listeners focused on how the new module fits into existing node workflows and what the full-transaction requirement means for everyday use. The energy stayed on practical details rather than speculation about future consensus changes.
Community voices stressed that this remains a library-level addition. No consensus rules are altered and the release sits apart from any Bitcoin Core v32 freeze discussion. Hosts kept the conversation on the code itself and how operators can test the new functions.
Clear Separation From Other Work
The v0.8.0 tag does not represent the Bitcoin Core v32 freeze. It carries no connection to BIP-110 or LND Optech issue 419. The changes stay contained inside the cryptographic library and do not touch network rules.
Full-node operators who follow the GitHub release can review the exact header and example files to understand the current implementation boundaries. The community conversation has centered on that transparency.
Next Steps for Builders
Developers watching the repository can pull the tag and examine the silentpayments module directly. The example code offers a starting point for anyone integrating the send and scan capabilities into full-node setups.
The August 3 release keeps the focus on incremental library progress. Community channels continue to track how this module performs once more operators begin testing it in production environments.