Bitcoin Optech newsletter #393 is here:

• summarizes a discussion about recent OP_RETURN usage
• describes a protocol to enforce covenant-like spending conditions without consensus changes
• summarizes changes to services/client software including Ark software, silent payment and submarine swap support, and more
• Optech Newsletter #393 Podcast
  https://bitcoinops.org/en/newsletters/2026/02/20/

Anthony Towns posted to Delving about the recent OP_RETURN statistics since the release of Bitcoin Core v30.0 on October 10...
https://bitcoinops.org/en/newsletters/2026/02/20/#recent-op-return-output-statistics

Misha Komarov posted to Delving Bitcoin about Bitcoin PIPEs, a protocol that allows enforcement of spending conditions without the need for consensus changes or optimistic challenge mechanisms...
https://bitcoinops.org/en/newsletters/2026/02/20/#bitcoin-pipes-v2

Changes to services and client software:

• Second releases hArk-based Ark software
• Amboss announces RailsX
• Nunchuk adds silent payment support
• Electrum adds submarine swap features
• Sigbash v2 announced
  https://bitcoinops.org/en/newsletters/2026/02/20/#changes-to-services-and-client-software

Bitcoin Optech will host an audio recap discussion of this newsletter streaming live on X/Twitter Tuesday at 17:30 UTC.