Dash has released a new major update for their core software. The 0.13 version brings long-awaited fixes and changes that will improve the overall user experience and functionality of the network. New features include “special transactions”, deterministic masternode lists and now InstantSend is widely available without any additional fees, with some limitations of course.
New Special Transactions (DIP0002)
Usually, the process of processing transactions is very simple. The full node that is in charge of validating the new block, grabs all the transactions that are in the memory pool and puts them in the block.
Here is where it can get tricky, some transactions carry special information with them that can turn a normal into a special transaction. The full nodes can consider them as non-valid and reject them. This results in a rejection of the block into an orphan block, creating a delay in the system and transaction speeds. The new update rectifies this deficiency by adding additional information to those transactions and blocks, in a way advising the full nodes not to reject them. This gives the opportunity for future development of new features that don’t necessarily fit the standard transaction standards without having problems.
New Deterministic Masternodes List (DIP0003)
Before this update, each masternode had to keep and update its own masternode list by regularly exchanging peer-to-peer messages between themselves, confirming their online state. When someone wanted to join the masternode list, they would have to make a 1000 DASH UTXO and broadcast a “masternode broadcast/announcement” to the network, giving it a PRE_ENABLED state until the whole network agrees and validates that.
This can create a delay for both entering the masternodes list and to maintain it, as there was no solution that can be found implemented in the blockchain itself. With this update, individual masternode lists don’t need to be maintained anymore as the list is hosted on-chain and automatically updated. New masternodes can now enter the network with a 1000 DASH special transaction called Provider Registration Transaction or ProRegTx. This transaction can contain either the collateral or a reference to it for masternodes list update verification along with other payload information and functionality mentioned in DIP0002.
Simplified Verification Process (DIP0004)
Naturally, maintaining an up to date masternodes list is one of the foundations of the Dash network, including the verification of InstantSend transactions and mixing in PrivateSend. The DIP0003 update brought with it a way to verify these lists via on-chain data.
InstantSend gives users the ability to jump the line and not wait when they would like their transactions to be validated immediately. Before this update, a fee had to be paid each time this feature is used, but now, users can carry out up to four InstantSend transactions per block completely for free. With a block time of about 2 to 3 minutes for the Dash network, you are looking at a free instant transaction roughly every 35 seconds.