Stellar Development Foundation Delays Protocol 20 Upgrade: Here’s Why

• Stellar’s upgrade to include Ethereum-style smart contracts is delayed due to a bug in its software.

• The Stellar Development Foundation and key validators have postponed the upgrade vote for safety.

The Stellar blockchain, a prominent player in the digital currency space, is confronting a significant setback. The much-anticipated upgrade to its system, aimed at incorporating Ethereum-style smart contracts, is likely to be postponed. This delay stems from a recently discovered bug in the Stellar Core v20.1.0 software, raising concerns among developers and validators.

Uncovering the bug: A challenge to Stellar’s upgrade path

The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) identified a critical bug on January 25, which could impact applications and services using the new “Soroban” smart contracts, set to revolutionize Stellar’s transaction capabilities.The bug emerges in scenarios where a “Soroban” transaction request leads to a fee-bumped refund, but the refund fails to reach the correct account.

Based on ecosystem feedback, we’ve decided to disarm our validators in support of postponing the Protocol 20 vote on Jan. 30 until after a bug fix – which is already in the works – is available.

Read more about our decision below. https://t.co/b0hXJqlqem

— Stellar (@StellarOrg) January 27, 2024

This discovery led to a significant shift in the SDF’s stance. Initially perceiving the bug as a minor risk, the foundation has opted for a cautious approach after absorbing robust feedback from the developer community. It plans to “disarm” its validators, effectively preventing them from voting for the network upgrade on the initially targeted date of January 30.

Validators’ response and market stability

The decision to delay the upgrade does not solely rest with the SDF. Other validators in the Stellar network play a crucial role. Reports indicate that six of the seven tier-1 validators, including prominent names like Satoshipay, Blockdaemon, and Lobstr, align with the SDF’s decision to disarm. This collective move signals a strong likelihood of the upgrade’s postponement, as a quorum – the minimum number of votes required – seems unattainable under the current circumstances.

Amid these developments, the market’s response has been notably subdued. Stellar’s native cryptocurrency, XLM, has maintained a stable trading price, hovering around $0.1142 with a 24-hour decline of 1.11%. Despite the critical nature of the Protocol 20 upgrade discussions, this stability reflects a tempered reaction from investors and users within the Stellar ecosystem.

Fixing the bug and rescheduling the upgrade

The SDF is actively addressing the bug, with a fix expected to be available within the next two weeks. Following this, the foundation intends to coordinate with validators to determine a future date for the upgrade vote. This proactive approach underscores the foundation’s commitment to ensuring a seamless and secure transition to the new protocol.

The delay in the Stellar blockchain’s upgrade is a pivotal moment for the network, which has been operational since 2014 after forking from the Ripple protocol. The introduction of “Soroban” smart contracts is a strategic move to enhance Stellar’s capabilities, bringing it in line with competitors like Ethereum. The network, which boasts 43 validator nodes as of December 2023, is navigating through a critical juncture as it seeks to broaden its technological horizons.

The discovery of a bug has necessitated a cautious approach, leading to a likely delay in the upgrade. However, the market’s stable response and the SDF’s swift action to resolve the issue indicate a resilient and adaptive ecosystem. As Stellar continues to evolve, this episode serves as a reminder of the challenges and complexities inherent in blockchain technology development.