Multisig Configuration
Bitcoin Commons uses multisig thresholds for governance decisions, with different thresholds based on the layer and tier of the change. See Layer-Tier Model for details.
Layer-Based Thresholds
Constitutional Layers (Layer 1-2)
- Orange Paper (Layer 1): 6-of-7 maintainers, 180 days (365 for consensus changes)
- blvm-consensus (Layer 2): 6-of-7 maintainers, 180 days (365 for consensus changes)
Implementation Layer (Layer 3)
- blvm-protocol: 4-of-5 maintainers, 90 days
Application Layer (Layer 4)
- blvm-node: 3-of-5 maintainers, 60 days
Extension Layer (Layer 5)
- blvm-sdk: 2-of-3 maintainers, 14 days
- governance: 2-of-3 maintainers, 14 days
- blvm-commons: 2-of-3 maintainers, 14 days
Tier-Based Thresholds
Tier 1: Routine Maintenance
- Signatures: 3-of-5 maintainers
- Review Period: 7 days
- Scope: Bug fixes, documentation, performance optimizations
Tier 2: Feature Changes
- Signatures: 4-of-5 maintainers
- Review Period: 30 days
- Scope: New RPC methods, P2P changes, wallet features
Tier 3: Consensus-Adjacent
- Signatures: 5-of-5 maintainers
- Review Period: 90 days
- Scope: Changes affecting consensus validation code
Tier 4: Emergency Actions
- Signatures: 4-of-5 maintainers
- Review Period: 0 days (immediate)
- Scope: Critical security patches, network-threatening bugs
Tier 5: Governance Changes
- Signatures: 5-of-5 maintainers (special process)
- Review Period: 180 days
- Scope: Changes to governance rules themselves
Combined Model
When both layer and tier apply, the system uses “most restrictive wins” rule. See Layer-Tier Model for the decision matrix.
Multisig Threshold Sensitivity
Figure: Multisig threshold sensitivity analysis showing how different threshold configurations affect security and decision-making speed.
Governance Signature Thresholds
Figure: Signature thresholds by layer showing the graduated security model.
For configuration details, see the governance configuration files.
See Also
- Layer-Tier Model - How layers and tiers combine
- PR Process - How thresholds apply to PRs
- Governance Model - Governance system
- Keyholder Procedures - Maintainer signing process
- Governance Overview - Governance system introduction