What is Bitcoin Core?
The reference implementation of the Bitcoin protocol, run by the large majority of full nodes.
Core is open source and maintained by a loose group of contributors with no formal authority. Changes require review and, for consensus changes, broad agreement among node operators who choose whether to run them.
The dominance of one implementation is a real consideration, discussed honestly rather than dismissed: a bug in Core is closer to a network-wide bug than it would be in a more diverse ecosystem.
Related terms
Node
A computer running Bitcoin software that independently validates every block and transaction against the…
NetworkConsensus rules
The validity conditions every node enforces: issuance schedule, signature validity, block weight, and…
NetworkBIP
A Bitcoin Improvement Proposal: the numbered document format used to specify and discuss protocol and…
NetworkCentralisation risk
The concentration of mining, custody, development or infrastructure into few enough hands to create a…
This definition is part of the Bitcoin Logical glossary. For the fuller explanation, start with Learn, or see the live numbers on The Bitcoin Signal.