Hello Mintlayers,

As the seasons change, so does the landscape of our development efforts at Mintlayer. September has been another month of diligent work and significant progress across our platform. We are excited to share updates on the Mintlayer core, the ZK Thunder Network, our Block Explorer, and enhancements to our mobile and browser wallets.

Mintlayer Core Developments:

• New Releases: We rolled out versions 0.6.1 and 0.6.2, which address several crucial issues discovered on our testnet. These updates help to refine and improve our Native Bitcoin Atomic Swaps functionality on our Testnet. 
• Fast Bridge RPC: Development on the Fast Bridge RPC is nearing completion, with final tests currently underway. While we don’t have an exact ETA yet, progress is promising and we anticipate sharing more details soon.
• DEX Orders Testing: We are rigorously testing the order functionalities for the decentralized exchange (DEX), ensuring a seamless swapping experience upon launch.

ZK Thunder Network Progress:

• Internal Testnet Release: Our team has successfully deployed an internal release of the ZK Thunder Network on the testnet. We are conducting extensive tests and expect to have a public testnet release later this month. This marks a pivotal step in enhancing Bitcoin’s functionality through our innovative Layer 3 solution.

Block Explorer Enhancements:

• Visual Updates: To improve user experience and distinguish between networks, we’ve updated the color theme of our Block Explorer. This visual cue will help users easily identify whether they are on the mainnet or testnet.
• Open Source: In our commitment to transparency and community collaboration, the Explorer codebase is now open-source. We invite developers to contribute and help us enhance its functionalities.

Mobile Wallet Integration:

• External Integrations: Progress continues with integrating external applications into our mobile wallet, which will enable functionalities such as seamless application logins and enhanced user interaction.

Browser Extension Updates:

• Enhanced Security Features: We have implemented new features for signing and verifying user messages, boosting the security and versatility of the browser extension.
• Backup and Restore: Users can now back up and restore their wallet data from a file, providing an additional layer of security and convenience.
• Improved Navigation: A new sidebar menu has been introduced to improve navigation and user experience within the browser extension.

In Conclusion:

September has been a month of robust development and optimization, bringing new features and enhancements that align with our vision of a fully functional and user-centric blockchain platform. As we continue to test and refine our technologies, we remain dedicated to our mission of advancing blockchain functionality and accessibility.

Stay connected and informed by following us on Twitter, joining our Telegram community, and participating in our Discord channel discussions. Your feedback and engagement are invaluable as we continue to push the boundaries of blockchain technology.

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. We look forward to achieving more milestones together.

Warm regards,

The Mintlayer Development Team