A podcast about what’s ready for merge in Ethereum and Bitcoin Core— the world’s most valuable open-source protocols.
christinedkim.substack.com (https://christinedkim.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)
In this dry run recording filmed in preparation for Season 2 of Ready for Merge, Christine D. Kim and Murch from Localhost Research discuss what users can expect from the next major Bitcoin Core release, v32, and the recent removal of Bitcoin’s longest-serving BIP editor, Luke Dashjr, from his role.
This episode was recorded on August 19, 2026.
Timestamps:
(0:43) Bitcoin Core v32’s feature freeze deadline
(2:22) Why Bitcoin Core releases are not feature-dependent
(4:59) Major features in Bitcoin Core v32
(13:44) Bitcoin Core v29 to reach end-of-life
(20:34) Why Luke Dashjr’s BIP editing privileges were revoked
(24:57) Other cases where Bitcoin Core contributing privileges have been revoked
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Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ready4merge (https://www.youtube.com/@ready4merge)
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Interested in sponsoring the show? inquiry@protocolwatch.com (mailto:inquiry@protocolwatch.com)
Get full access to Christine D. Kim at christinedkim.substack.com/subscribe (https://christinedkim.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
20 May 2026
Ready for Merge Ep. 30 👾
Christine D. Kim shares the final bi-weekly brief of Season 1 of the Ready for Merge podcast, recapping the latest developments in Bitcoin and Ethereum protocol development.
She also breaks down the latest developments surrounding the Clarity Act, a major cryptocurrency market-structure bill advancing in the U.S. Senate, highlighting its implications for open-source developers, self-custody rights, and the growing role of decentralization as a legal framework for regulating digital assets.
Finally, Christine shares how listeners can continue to follow major developments in blockchain technology throughout the summer via her newsletters and events.
This episode was recorded on May 19, 2026.
Timestamps:
(1:53) Ethereum development updates
(7:55) Bitcoin development updates
(12:07) What is the Clarity Act?
(14:49) Why the Clarity Act matters
(25:05) How to stay up-to-date on blockchain development through the summer
Enjoying this content?
Subscribe to the newsletter: https://christinedkim.substack.com/ (https://christinedkim.substack.com/)
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ready4merge (https://www.youtube.com/@ready4merge)
Follow on X: https://x.com/ready4merge (https://x.com/ready4merge)
Interested in sponsoring the show? inquiry@protocolwatch.com (mailto:inquiry@protocolwatch.com)
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christinedkim.substack.com/subscribe (https://christinedkim.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
13 May 2026
Ready for Merge Ep. 29 👾
Meet Ben, a developer who works full-time on the Ethereum execution layer (EL) client, Nethermind. In just over two years, Ben has become one of the top three contributors to the Nethermind codebase — a remarkable leap for someone who once dismissed cryptocurrencies entirely.
In this interview, Ben recounts how he found his calling working as a full-time Ethereum client developer and the twists and turns in his journey that led him through building online games and contributing to Microsoft’s .NET ecosystem to becoming one of Nethermind’s most prolific contributors.
This interview was recorded on August 13, 2025.
Timestamps:
(0:49) Show announcements
(1:23) Ben’s biggest contribution to Ethereum
(19:59) Ben’s view on Ethereum leadership
(31:50) What an average day looks like as a Nethermind developer
(39:38) Rapid fire questions
Enjoying this content?
Subscribe to the newsletter: https://christinedkim.substack.com/ (https://christinedkim.substack.com/)
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ready4merge (https://www.youtube.com/@ready4merge)
Follow on X: https://x.com/ready4merge (https://x.com/ready4merge)
Interested in sponsoring the show? inquiry@protocolwatch.com (mailto:inquiry@protocolwatch.com)
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christinedkim.substack.com/subscribe (https://christinedkim.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
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