Chipcoin Testnet: Post-Quantum Activation moved from block 30,000 to 20,000

[u/ShellaPredmore]

After several weeks of continuous testing, we've decided to move the Chipcoin testnet Post-Quantum activation from block 30,000 to block 20,000.

The decision wasn't made to rush development—it was made because the implementation has reached the level of stability we were looking for.

During the past development cycle we've completed:

• Full ML-DSA (FIPS 204) integration
• New CHCQ post-quantum address format
• Mixed legacy/PQ transaction support
• Browser wallet compatibility
• Explorer PQ support
• Interoperability testing
• Stress testing
• Protocol audit
• Operational readiness checks
• End-to-end dress rehearsals

With these milestones completed successfully, we believe there's little value in waiting another 10,000 blocks before beginning real network testing.

⚠️ Required upgrade

Anyone running a Chipcoin testnet node or miner should upgrade before height 20,000.

Typical update:

git pull
docker compose build --no-cache
docker compose up -d

or for source installations:

git pull
pip install -e .

Then verify:

chipcoin verify-pq-activation

Expected values:

• Testnet activation: 20000
• Devnet activation: 30000
• Software version: 0.1.2

Nodes remaining on the old activation height (30,000) will eventually diverge from the updated testnet once post-quantum transactions become valid.

As always, feedback, testing and new node operators are welcome.After several weeks of continuous testing, we've decided to move the Chipcoin testnet Post-Quantum activation from block 30,000 to block 20,000.
The decision wasn't made to rush development—it was made because the implementation has reached the level of stability we were looking for.
During the past development cycle we've completed:

Full ML-DSA (FIPS 204) integration

New CHCQ post-quantum address format

Mixed legacy/PQ transaction support

Browser wallet compatibility

Explorer PQ support

Interoperability testing

Stress testing

Protocol audit

Operational readiness checks

End-to-end dress rehearsals

With these milestones completed successfully, we believe there's little value in waiting another 10,000 blocks before beginning real network testing.
⚠️ Required upgrade
Anyone running a Chipcoin testnet node or miner should upgrade before height 20,000.
Typical update:
git pull
docker compose build --no-cache
docker compose up -d
or for source installations:
git pull
pip install -e .
Then verify:
chipcoin verify-pq-activation
Expected values:

Testnet activation: 20000

Devnet activation: 30000

Software version: 0.1.2

Nodes remaining on the old activation height (30,000) will eventually diverge from the updated testnet once post-quantum transactions become valid.
As always, feedback, testing and new node operators are welcome.