We are the Frontier
World

Peter Todd Joined MARA Foundation to Lead Slipstream

The prominent Bitcoin developer will manage the private transaction relay service starting this month.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Cybersecurity

Bold flat-color editorial illustration featuring a bundle of metallic conduits entering a junction, representing private data relay, in a restrained geometric style.
Peter Todd has joined the MARA Foundation to lead the Slipstream transaction relay service, which enables private Bitcoin transaction submissions. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you trust private transaction pools to improve overall security for the Bitcoin network?

Peter Todd has joined the MARA Foundation as the lead maintainer for Slipstream. The service, which MARA launched in 2024, enables users to submit Bitcoin transactions directly to the mining pool, bypassing the standard public peer-to-peer network.

Why it matters

By keeping transaction data private until block confirmation, the service prevents the exposure of public keys that can occur on the standard network. This shift aims to enhance privacy for users navigating a landscape where security threats remain a critical concern.

Slipstream bypasses the public Bitcoin peer-to-peer network by submitting transactions directly to the MARA Pool. This mechanism masks transaction details, shielding public keys from network exposure until the transaction is confirmed in a block.

The players

Peter Todd

A veteran Bitcoin developer who co-authored BIP 125, created OpenTimestamps, and launched Libre Relay.

MARA Foundation

An organization focused on Bitcoin infrastructure development and the maintenance of the Slipstream relay service.

The details

The service functions as a direct conduit for transaction submission, moving data away from the broadcast-based architecture of the standard Bitcoin network. By funneling submissions directly into the mining pool, the infrastructure ensures that sensitive transaction information remains non-public until the moment of block inclusion. Peter Todd, a developer known for creating OpenTimestamps and co-authoring BIP 125 (a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal detailing transaction replacement), will oversee this architecture.

Timeline

  1. 2024: MARA launched the Slipstream service.

  2. 2024: Peter Todd launched the Libre Relay project.

  3. July: Hackers executed an exploit against Coldcard hardware wallets.

  4. October 1, 2026: Peter Todd joined the MARA Foundation.

The Tech Race

Slipstream represents a shift toward centralized, private transaction relay services within the Bitcoin ecosystem. This move contrasts with the traditional decentralized broadcast model of the public Bitcoin peer-to-peer network.

Users currently managing Bitcoin transactions will see increased privacy as their transaction data remains hidden from public view until block confirmation. This service changes the technical workflow for those using MARA Pool for transaction submission.

The takeaway

The appointment of a high-profile developer to oversee Slipstream signals a growing industry focus on private transaction relay mechanisms. Observers should track the integration of Todd's previous work, such as BIP 125, into the ongoing maintenance of the MARA Pool infrastructure.

Further reading

For more on the changing landscape of digital asset privacy, visit our Cybersecurity section.

Live Poll

Do you trust private transaction pools to improve overall security for the Bitcoin network?