MingleJingle: A New Chapter for MimbleWimble
MingleJingle represents a revamped version of the original MimbleWimble protocol, introducing the concept of completely non-interactive transactions. The code is now prepared for testing on the testnet and is scheduled for submission for review next month. Litecoin, which ranks as the eighth largest cryptocurrency globally, is actively working on implementing innovative privacy features through this MimbleWimble protocol, originally proposed in November 2019. This initiative aims to enhance user privacy on the network by allowing optional privacy settings.
Progress Update from the Developer
Today, David Burkett, the developer overseeing this integration, shared an update regarding its progress. He indicated substantial advancements have been made, with the initial code expected to be finalized and ready for review by March 15. Burkett noted, “There are still plenty of ways we can (and will) improve the MWEB code, especially concerning syncing, but most of what remains is not essential for the initial launch… I will be submitting the code for review on March 15,” he tweeted. The name MimbleWimble draws inspiration from a spell in the Harry Potter series.
Litecoin’s Journey Towards Privacy
Litecoin has long been recognized for its efficient and cost-effective transactions, positioning itself as an early player in the cryptocurrency market. However, it has often been criticized for lacking robust privacy features. To address this shortcoming, developers proposed enabling users to opt for privacy by executing MimbleWimble transactions on a side-chain styled after Extension Blocks. This concept was initially proposed in 2013 as a soft fork scaling solution for Bitcoin, aimed at enhancing fungibility—ensuring that each unit of cryptocurrency holds equal value—while minimizing disruption to the current wallet ecosystem. Ultimately, the idea was dismissed in favor of the Segregated Witness (SegWit) upgrade. MimbleWimble itself is a privacy-centric protocol utilized by cryptocurrencies like Grin and Beam.
Over a Year of Development
The project to implement MimbleWimble on Litecoin has been in the works for over a year, with the MimbleWimble Extension Blocks (MWEB) testnet launched last September.
Introducing MingleJingle
In a recent update on Litecointalk, Burkett highlighted MingleJingle, a new initiative by Tevador, the principal developer behind RandomX, the mining algorithm for Monero. RandomX was launched on Monero’s mainnet in 2019, aimed at safeguarding the network from ASIC mining while ensuring a high level of security. MingleJingle reimagines the original MimbleWimble protocol by enabling fully non-interactive transactions, which simplifies the process for the sender, who only needs the recipient’s address made up of two public keys. Burkett has committed to providing monthly updates on the LTC MWEB development, which will also include discussions on changes related to Grin++.
Advancements in Privacy Features
Additional significant features of MingleJingle include the introduction of addresses that cannot be linked to wallets, as well as transaction outputs that are not traceable back to any address. Burkett mentioned that Tevador’s expertise with Monero’s stealth addresses facilitated the incorporation of various enhancements to the project and refined the MWEB addressing and output framework. He also noted that the code is primed for the new testnet, containing all necessary consensus, P2P, and wallet code to support MWEB. The only component yet to be included is the activation code, which Burkett plans to add following the completion of reviews and audits.
Looking Ahead to Mainnet Activation
Earlier, Burkett expressed optimism about the potential for the MimbleWimble upgrade to be activated on Litecoin’s mainnet sometime in 2021, contingent upon support from miners and node operators. With the recent update on progress, this possibility seems increasingly likely.
