The node
Why BLVM?
Bitcoin’s consensus rules are scattered across hundreds of thousands of lines of C++. There is no single document for “correct Bitcoin behavior.” Every alternative rediscovers the rules from Core’s source and hopes they got it right. BLVM fixes that.
One spec, many implementations
The Orange Paper is a formal mathematical specification of Bitcoin consensus extracted from Bitcoin Core. Instead of each node team guessing at the rules, they implement against the spec and prove compatibility. Divergence becomes detectable before it hits mainnet.
Verified, not just tested
Annotated consensus functions carry #[spec_locked] ties to Orange Paper sections. CI runs Z3 on those annotations.
Checked against Core, in layers
A single chain replay is not enough. Compatibility is exercised by property tests, libFuzzer on consensus, protocol, and node, golden vectors from mainnet wire bytes and Core script fixtures, and a differential against Bitcoin Core / libbitcoinkernel. Each layer is meant to catch a different class of mistake.
Governance you can fork
Bitcoin Commons publishes who can merge, which thresholds apply, and how long review windows last. The rules are in a public repository. If you disagree with a rule you fork that repository, not the chain.
Not a new coin
BLVM implements the same Bitcoin consensus rules as Bitcoin Core. Same chain, same UTXO set. Theorem 6.2.3 in the Orange Paper states supply convergence. The goal is another implementation of Bitcoin, not a new coin.
Built for operators
Packaged installs on GitHub Releases. Marketplace packages for Start9, Umbrel, myNode, and Parmanode are coming. You should not need a Rust compiler to run this node.