Bitcoin Core Wallet Bug Advisory
- Bitcoin Core v30 wallet bug could delete data during migration.
- Legacy wallet users advised to postpone migrations temporarily.
- Fix anticipated in Bitcoin Core v30.2, currently in development.
A critical bug affecting wallet migrations in Bitcoin Core versions 30.0 and 30.1 has been discovered, prompting an immediate advisory from the development team on potential fund losses.
The bug could lead to the deletion of wallet directory files, posing risks for users with legacy wallets while awaiting a fix in version 30.2.
A severe wallet migration bug was discovered in Bitcoin Core v30.0 and v30.1. Users are advised to backup their wallets. This bug may lead to a complete deletion of files in the wallet directory under certain conditions.
The Bitcoin Core development team has warned users against using GUI or RPC for migrations. A potential solution is expected in the upcoming v30.2 release. This workaround aims to safeguard user assets during the interim period.
Immediate effects include increased stress on individuals relying on legacy Bitcoin Core wallets. The bug impacts holders of legacy wallet.dat files from pre-0.21 versions, raising concerns within the affected community.
Financial implications are mostly confined to users of Bitcoin, as there is no direct impact reported on market liquidity or external institutional funding. BTC legacy users face potential fund loss if guidelines are not followed.
The absence of direct leadership in the Bitcoin Core team highlights decentralized governance. This reinforces reliance on community-driven solutions and collective action for timely bug fixes.
The upcoming fixes will likely resolve current issues, maintaining Bitcoin’s reputation for security. Past chronic issues typically have shown that swift community intervention ensures stability, underscoring a robust development network.
“We have become aware of a wallet migration bug introduced in Bitcoin Core 30.0 and 30.1. Under rare circumstances, when the migration of a wallet.dat file fails, all files in the wallet directory may be deleted in the process, potentially resulting in a loss of funds. A fix is forthcoming and will be released as 30.2… At this time, we ask users to not attempt wallet migrations using the GUI or RPC until v30.2 is released.”
