In a new post on the official Bitcoin Foundation blog, Andresen stated that the updated code will enable “smarter” fees that account for the length of time it takes to confirm transactions on the bitcoin network. Ultimately, the new code will determine transaction priority, making sure that transactions confirm more efficiently.
Andresen cited needless complexities within bitcoin’s transaction fee code as the reason for the update. These complications result in inconsistent and time-consuming confirmation periods.
He wrote:
“Instead of using hard-coded rules for what fees to pay, the [new] code observes how long transactions are taking to confirm and then uses that data to estimate the right fee to pay so the transaction confirms quickly – or decides that the transaction has a high enough priority to be sent for free but still confirm quickly.”
As well, the new code enables transaction senders to configure how much priority they want their transaction to receive. In some cases, users may opt to have as many as six blocks pass before the first confirmation is received.
Systemic fee problems addressed
Currently, the Bitcoin Core code can lead to headaches for those who send large bitcoin transactions. As Andresen explained, the new code eliminates some of the hurdles that slowed down transactions in excess of 1,000 bytes in size.
Transactions sent for free also run into problems under the existing framework.
