OP_CAT 提案重启比特币契约辩论

OP_CAT 是比特币改进提案草案，旨在通过向后兼容的软分叉重新引入契约，扩展比特币的功能并支持智能合约、安全桥和链上交易等高级用例。该提案旨在重新定义 OP_SUCCESS126 操作码以重新引入 OP_CAT，潜在地增强比特币的功能和灵活性，同时认识到共识和安全考虑的必要性。

OP_CAT Proposal Introduced, Reigniting Bitcoin Covenant Debate

OP_CAT 提案提出，重新引发比特币契约争论

Amid the ongoing discourse surrounding covenants on Bitcoin (BTC), the Open-Purpose Contract Automation Toolkit (OP_CAT) has formally presented its "BIP-420" proposal. This proposal aims to reintroduce OP_CAT to the Bitcoin protocol, enabling the implementation of advanced scripting features and expanding the functionality of the Bitcoin blockchain.

在围绕比特币 (BTC) 契约的持续讨论中，开放用途合约自动化工具包 (OP_CAT) 正式提出了其“BIP-420”提案。该提案旨在将 OP_CAT 重新引入比特币协议，从而实现高级脚本功能并扩展比特币区块链的功能。

What are Covenants on Bitcoin?

比特币的契约是什么？

Covenants are advanced scripting features that impose specific conditions on the expenditure of bitcoins in future transactions. These conditions can facilitate use cases such as secure "vaults" for reversible transactions, automated recurring payments, time-locked transfers for inheritance scenarios, and complex financial instruments like escrows and bonds.

契约是高级脚本功能，它对未来交易中比特币的支出施加特定条件。这些条件可以促进使用案例，例如用于可逆交易的安全“金库”、自动定期支付、用于继承场景的时间锁定转移以及托管和债券等复杂的金融工具。

OP_CAT: A Reintroduced Opcode

OP_CAT：重新引入的操作码

OP_CAT was initially included in Bitcoin's early iterations but was later disabled by pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto due to concerns about potential vulnerabilities. The current proposal seeks to reintroduce OP_CAT via a backward-compatible soft fork by redefining the opcode OP_SUCCESS126, preserving the original value to minimize confusion.

OP_CAT 最初包含在比特币的早期迭代中，但后来由于担心潜在的漏洞而被匿名创建者中本聪禁用。当前提案旨在通过向后兼容的软分叉重新引入 OP_CAT，方法是重新定义操作码 OP_SUCCESS126，保留原始值以最大程度地减少混乱。

Enhanced Functionality and Flexibility

增强的功能和灵活性

The authors of the proposal, Ethan Heilman and Armin Sabouri, argue that OP_CAT would simplify and expand Bitcoin's functionalities, making decentralized protocols more practical and supporting advanced multi-signature setups. They emphasize that OP_CAT would significantly enhance the power and flexibility of Bitcoin scripting, enabling the development of more sophisticated applications directly on the Bitcoin blockchain.

该提案的作者 Ethan Heilman 和 Armin Sabouri 认为 OP_CAT 将简化和扩展比特币的功能，使去中心化协议更加实用并支持先进的多重签名设置。他们强调 OP_CAT 将显着增强比特币脚本的功能和灵活性，从而能够直接在比特币区块链上开发更复杂的应用程序。

Contingencies for Implementation

实施的意外情况

The viability of an OP_CAT soft fork hinges on technical, security, and community consensus considerations. Without broad agreement and a clear demonstration of its safety and utility, the implementation of OP_CAT remains uncertain.

OP_CAT 软分叉的可行性取决于技术、安全和社区共识的考虑。如果没有广泛的共识以及对其安全性和实用性的明确证明，OP_CAT 的实施仍然不确定。

Alternative Bitcoin Covenant Proposals

替代比特币契约提案

OP_CAT is not the only covenant proposal for Bitcoin. Other notable suggestions include:

OP_CAT 并不是比特币唯一的契约提案。其他值得注意的建议包括：

• Check Template Verify (CTV): Introduced in BIP-119, CTV ensures that only transactions matching a predefined template can spend bitcoins, enabling vaults and legacy multisig migration.
• OP_CHECKSIGFROMSTACK (CSFS): Proposed by various developers, CSFS validates signatures without relying on transaction data, offering greater flexibility than CTV.
• LNHANCE: This proposal introduces more versatile scripting capabilities, including loops and conditional execution based on external data, but it is still in the early stages of development.

Conclusion

检查模板验证（CTV）：在 BIP-119 中引入，CTV 确保只有匹配预定义模板的交易才能花费比特币，从而实现金库和遗留多重签名迁移。 OP_CHECKSIGFROMSTACK（CSFS）：由各个开发人员提出，CSFS 无需依赖交易即可验证签名数据，提供比 CTV 更大的灵活性。LNHANCE：该提案引入了更通用的脚本功能，包括基于外部数据的循环和条件执行，但仍处于开发的早期阶段。结论

The OP_CAT proposal has reignited the debate surrounding covenants on Bitcoin. While OP_CAT has the potential to significantly expand Bitcoin's functionality, its implementation remains contingent on achieving technical consensus, addressing security concerns, and garnering broad community support. The ongoing discussions and developments in this area will continue to shape the future of Bitcoin as a platform for advanced scripting and financial applications.

OP_CAT 提案重新引发了围绕比特币契约的争论。虽然 OP_CAT 有潜力显着扩展比特币的功能，但其实施仍然取决于达成技术共识、解决安全问题以及获得广泛的社区支持。该领域正在进行的讨论和发展将继续塑造比特币作为高级脚本和金融应用平台的未来。