Popular crypto exchange Coinbase has announced a new upgrade for Bitcoin (BTC) users. It will make the BTC transactions easier and seamless for the platform’s users. This move will enhance Coinbase’s transaction capabilities and aligns with ongoing efforts to improve Bitcoin’s scalability and efficiency.

Coinbase’s Update on Bitcoin Transfers

The latest feature allows users to send Bitcoin to Taproot addresses directly from Coinbase. The news, shared on X (formerly Twitter), stated: “Exciting news! We’re pleased to announce that Coinbase․com users can now send Bitcoin to Taproot addresses, creating access to more onchain destinations.

For further context, Taproot is a major upgrade to the Bitcoin network that went live in November 2021. It is widely regarded as one of the most significant advancements in the flagship crypto’s history. The Taproot upgrade was designed to improve the privacy, scalability, and efficiency of BTC transactions.

Exciting news!

We’re pleased to announce that Coinbase․com users can now send Bitcoin to Taproot addresses, creating access to more onchain destinations.

— Coinbase Assets ️ (@CoinbaseAssets) October 8, 2024

Specifically, it allows for more complex types of transactions to be conducted more easily and securely on the Bitcoin blockchain. These include multi-signature transactions and those involving smart contracts.

The key innovation behind Taproot is its use of Schnorr signatures, which streamline transaction verification by combining multiple signatures into one. This reduces the amount of data that needs to be processed, leading to faster and cheaper transactions.

How will the BTC Network be Benefitted?

Moreover, Taproot enhances the privacy of BTC transactions by making multi-signature transactions indistinguishable from regular transactions on the blockchain. Unlike previous changes to Bitcoin’s network, Taproot has been widely embraced by the crypto community.

In contrast, Bitcoin’s last major upgrade in 2017 resulted in a deep divide within the community, leading to the creation of Bitcoin Cash, a separate cryptocurrency. The smooth rollout of Taproot signals the community’s consensus around the need for scalable, efficient solutions.

Coinbase’s integration of Taproot addresses is expected to expand the options for users seeking more efficient and private transactions. The new feature underscores the growing adoption of Taproot across the broader Bitcoin ecosystem, as more wallets and exchanges support this upgrade.