Taproot and Tapscript were major upgrades to the Bitcoin protocol added in 2021 to extend the network’s privacy, efficiency, and smart contract capabilities. Implemented through Bitcoin Improvement Proposals (BIPs) 340, 341, and 342, they have enhanced the ways that Bitcoin transactions are generated and validated. Why it matters These upgrades have opened the door to new Bitcoin uses. Tapscript, an updated scripting language, allows much more complex smart contracts with a focus on efficie...
