Ready for Merge

Christine D. Kim
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Technology
  • Updated Weekly

A podcast about what’s ready for merge in Ethereum and Bitcoin Core— the world’s most valuable open-source protocols. christinedkim.substack.com

  1. 2d ago

    Understanding ePBS through the Lens of Game Theory

    Summary: In this episode, Christine D. Kim and Nixo Rokish chat with Mike Neuder, a PhD student at Princeton studying blockchain design and economics. Together, they discuss the design behind enshrined proposer-builder separation (ePBS), one of the main features that will be activated on Ethereum through the Glamsterdam upgrade. Mike argues for understanding ePBS through the lens of game theory and the hidden incentives that may drive how MEV actors interact with the feature.  This episode was recorded on October 6, 2026.  Timestamps: (00:29) Introducing Mike Neuder, a PhD student at Princeton (3:47) Glamsterdam testing updates (6:09) How block proposals work today (10:27) How ePBS changes things (17:41) Why trusted payments were built into ePBS (19:20) The role of relays in ePBS (25:21) The role of MEV-Boost in ePBS (31:24) Why the focus of ePBS shifted to scalability (34:57) The free option problem in ePBS (55:08) What core devs need to know about ePBS (56:46) What MEV stakeholders need to know about ePBS (59:51) Was ePBS worth its complexity?  Enjoying this content?  Subscribe to the newsletter: https://christinedkim.substack.com/  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ready4merge  Follow on X: https://x.com/ready4merge Interested in sponsoring the show? inquiry@protocolwatch.com  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christinedkim.substack.com/subscribe

  2. Oct 2

    ArtForz-Timewarp Attack on Bitcoin Explained

    Summary: In this episode, Christine D. Kim and Murch discuss the intricacies of the ArtForz-Timewarp attack vector and the consensus changes required on Bitcoin to fix it. They also briefly discuss the governance process behind Bitcoin soft forks and the latest updates to the forthcoming Bitcoin Core v32 release.  This episode was recorded on September 25, 2026.  Timestamps: (1:04) Bitcoin Core v32 Release Updates (10:15) ArtForz-Timewarp Attack Explained (23:01) The likelihood of a timewarp attack (30:35) BIP-54’s likelihood of activation Enjoying this content?  Subscribe to the newsletter: https://christinedkim.substack.com/  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ready4merge  Follow on X: https://x.com/ready4merge Interested in sponsoring the show? inquiry@protocolwatch.com  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christinedkim.substack.com/subscribe

  3. Sep 25

    Ready for Merge Ep. 34 👾

    Summary: In this episode, Christine D. Kim from Protocol Watch and Nixo Rokish from EthCoordinate discuss the arguments for and against changes to Ethereum issuance. Rokish underscores the importance of changes that not only reduce issuance but, under certain conditions, drive it to zero. Kim explains why changes to issuance without social consensus would be detrimental to Ethereum's value. This episode was recorded on September 23, 2026.  Timestamps: (1:20) Glamsterdam and Hegota updates (9:51) Nixo’s stance on issuance (19:53) Arguments against issuance changes (29:53) Why EIP-8363 most likely won’t get included in Hegota (35:33) Christine’s stance on social consensus This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christinedkim.substack.com/subscribe

  4. Sep 18

    Ready for Merge Ep. 33 👾

    Summary: In this episode, Christine is joined by Murch of Localhost Research for a Bitcoin development update. They kick off the episode with brief remarks on the differences in client funding dynamics between Bitcoin and Ethereum. Murch then walks through the Bitcoin Core v32 branch-off, including the per-release updates to assumevalid and other defaults. Finally, Murch and Christine discuss software security in the age of AI, covering how Bitcoin Core contributors are adapting their workflows to use AI at the individual-contributor and project level. This episode was recorded on September 16, 2026.  Timestamps: (0:50) Plug for TabConf 2026 (3:24) Murch’s views on the Ethereum client funding crisis (9:23) Bitcoin Core v32 branch off  (20:37) AI’s role in the Bitcoin Core release cycle (28:45) Bitcoin Core’s response to the influx of AI-generated security reports Enjoying this content?  Subscribe to the newsletter: https://christinedkim.substack.com/  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ready4merge  Follow on X: https://x.com/ready4merge Interested in sponsoring the show? inquiry@protocolwatch.com  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christinedkim.substack.com/subscribe

  5. Sep 11

    Ready for Merge Ep. 32 👾

    In this episode, Christine and Nixo discuss the timeline for the Ethereum Glamsterdam upgrade and next steps for scoping out Hegotá. Nixo shares her expectations for a mainnet Glamsterdam activation in December and her views on how client team funding may impact the size of future Ethereum forks.  This episode was recorded on September 9, 2026.  Timestamps: (1:15) Nixo’s career before crypto (3:47) How to prepare for Glamsterdam (6:48) Glamsterdam mainnet ETA (15:49) The Hegota fork scoping process (23:14) The status of Frame Txs in Hegota (33:39) Client team funding impacts on Hegota Show links:  - Ethereum public testnets overview (https://forkcast.org/networks/) Enjoying this content?  Subscribe to the newsletter: https://christinedkim.substack.com/  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ready4merge  Follow on X: https://x.com/ready4merge Interested in sponsoring the show? inquiry@protocolwatch.com  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christinedkim.substack.com/subscribe

  6. Sep 4

    Ready for Merge Ep. 31 👾

    In this episode, Christine D. Kim introduces the show’s new co-hosts for the season, Nixo from EthCoordinate and Murch from Localhost Research. Together, they discuss the show's vision, the topics they expect to cover over the next several weeks, and how listeners can learn more about Bitcoin and Ethereum development.  This episode was recorded on September 2, 2026.  Timestamps: 3:36 Introducing Nixo 7:23 Introducing Murch 10:26 Why tune in for Season 2?  26:12 What topics will be discussed on this season 32:21 Bitcoin and Ethereum development resources  Enjoying this content?  Subscribe to the newsletter: https://christinedkim.substack.com/  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ready4merge  Follow on X: https://x.com/ready4merge Interested in sponsoring the show? inquiry@protocolwatch.com  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christinedkim.substack.com/subscribe

  7. Aug 28

    Ready for Merge Demo Recording w/Murch👾

    In this dry run recording filmed in preparation for Season 2 of Ready for Merge, Christine D. Kim and Murch from Localhost Research discuss what users can expect from the next major Bitcoin Core release, v32, and the recent removal of Bitcoin’s longest-serving BIP editor, Luke Dashjr, from his role. This episode was recorded on August 19, 2026. Timestamps: (0:43) Bitcoin Core v32’s feature freeze deadline (2:22) Why Bitcoin Core releases are not feature-dependent (4:59) Major features in Bitcoin Core v32 (13:44) Bitcoin Core v29 to reach end-of-life (20:34) Why Luke Dashjr’s BIP editing privileges were revoked (24:57) Other cases where Bitcoin Core contributing privileges have been revoked Enjoying this content?  Subscribe to the newsletter: https://christinedkim.substack.com/ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ready4merge Follow on X: https://x.com/ready4merge Interested in sponsoring the show? inquiry@protocolwatch.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christinedkim.substack.com/subscribe

  8. May 20

    Ready for Merge Ep. 30 👾

    Christine D. Kim shares the final bi-weekly brief of Season 1 of the Ready for Merge podcast, recapping the latest developments in Bitcoin and Ethereum protocol development. She also breaks down the latest developments surrounding the Clarity Act, a major cryptocurrency market-structure bill advancing in the U.S. Senate, highlighting its implications for open-source developers, self-custody rights, and the growing role of decentralization as a legal framework for regulating digital assets. Finally, Christine shares how listeners can continue to follow major developments in blockchain technology throughout the summer via her newsletters and events. This episode was recorded on May 19, 2026. Timestamps: (1:53) Ethereum development updates (7:55) Bitcoin development updates (12:07) What is the Clarity Act?  (14:49) Why the Clarity Act matters   (25:05) How to stay up-to-date on blockchain development through the summer Enjoying this content?  Subscribe to the newsletter: https://christinedkim.substack.com/ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ready4merge Follow on X: https://x.com/ready4merge Interested in sponsoring the show? inquiry@protocolwatch.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christinedkim.substack.com/subscribe

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About

A podcast about what’s ready for merge in Ethereum and Bitcoin Core— the world’s most valuable open-source protocols. christinedkim.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Christine D. Kim
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Christine D. Kim
  • Show Website
    Ready for Merge

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