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# Monero Development Update: DNS Checkpoints, FCMP++ Progress, and Mining Pool Centralization Solutions

*This article is AI-generated based on Revuo Monero Issue 247 and the September 10, 2025 Monero Research Lab meeting logs.*

## Major Developments

### Monero 0.18.4.2 'Fluorine Fermi' Released
The latest point release brings important updates to both CLI and GUI wallets. Users are reminded to verify hashes and can compile from source if preferred. This release continues the steady improvement of Monero's core software.

### FCMP++ Alpha Stressnet Preparation
The Monero Research Lab is finalizing preparations for the FCMP++ alpha stressnet, with PR #81 being the last major piece before launch. The team has developed sophisticated wallet management systems capable of handling dozens of programmatically-generated wallets for comprehensive testing. However, some issues with subaccounts have been identified and are being addressed.

### DNS Checkpoints: A Response to Mining Centralization
The most significant discussion centered on implementing **rolling DNS checkpoints** as a temporary solution to mining pool centralization concerns, particularly regarding Qubic's 25.1% network hashrate. The proposal would allow the network to resist deep reorganizations by publishing checkpoint blocks to DNS TXT records.

Key aspects of the DNS checkpoint proposal:
- **Soft fork implementation** - pools can opt-in
- **Majority adoption needed** - requires support from major pools (hashvault, moneroocean, supportxmr, nanopool control >50%)
- **Temporary measure** - designed as a bandaid until longer-term solutions are implemented
- **Technical challenges** - includes issues with shared-ring-db during checkpointed reorgs and block propagation improvements

### Publish or Perish (PoP) Research
Researchers are conducting Monte Carlo simulations of the Publish or Perish protocol, which could provide another defense against selfish mining. The protocol introduces a parameter 'k' that prevents reorganizations to chains less than k blocks deep, with the infinity setting providing maximum protection when combined with checkpoints.

## Network Performance Improvements

### P2Pool Block Propagation Enhancement
P2Pool's next release will dramatically improve block propagation across the network, with propagation delays dropping to <3ms per hop compared to Monero's current 400+ms. This could provide pools with a >1% effective hashrate boost simply through faster block distribution.

### Transaction Fee Scaling Discussion
Significant debate occurred regarding post-FCMP++ fee structures. Proposals include:
- Increasing the penalty-free zone from 300KB to 2MB
- Implementing 4x fee increases
- Maintaining fee proportionality to transaction weight
The community remains divided on the optimal balance between accessibility and spam resistance.

## Mining Pool Distribution
Current hashrate distribution shows concerning centralization with **qubic.org** controlling 25.1%, **supportxmr.com** at 22.6%, **nanopool.org** at 17.5%, and **hashvault.pro** at 14.2%. The top four pools control approximately 79.4% of total hashrate, highlighting the urgency of decentralization solutions.

## Technical Innovations

### New Tools and Services
- **Monero Watchman**: GitHub user NathanRizza is developing an app to notify users of chain reorganizations
- **Cuprated v0.0.6**: Now includes native Tor support for anonymous peer connections
- **Monerod-GUI v1.3.1**: Features P2Pool and XMRig integrations with background mining capabilities
- **xmr.cards**: New service offering gift cards for 2000+ brands across 60+ countries without KYC requirements

### Research Contributions
BawdyAnarchist released the **Monero PoW Simulator**, a modular environment for testing countermeasures against selfish mining strategies. This complements ongoing academic research into optimal mining strategies and network security.

## Market Performance
XMR showed strong yearly performance with **+55.19% gains** against USD, with exchange rates at **$268.49** and a street price of **$321.19** as of September 8, 2025. The market cap reached **$4.95 billion**. Weekly performance showed **+3.77%** growth in USD terms, while EUR performance was **+3.29%** weekly at **€228.24**. Against Bitcoin, XMR declined **-0.45%** weekly but remains down **-24.91%** for the year at **₿0.002389**.

## Next Steps
The Core Team will evaluate the DNS checkpoint proposal, while mining pools are expected to be contacted regarding implementation. Technical improvements including block propagation enhancements and reorg handling fixes are being prioritized to support both current network stability and future checkpoint implementation.

The community continues to balance immediate security needs against long-term decentralization goals, with multiple parallel approaches being developed to ensure Monero's continued resilience.

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*Based on Revuo Monero Issue 247 and MRL meeting logs.*

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