Certified Bitcoin Professional Practice Exam

What must occur for a BIP to be accepted?

1. It requires majority approval from government bodies.

2. It must be reviewed and approved by an editor.

3. It needs only the support of the Bitcoin Foundation.

4. It can be accepted with any community feedback.

The correct answer is: It must be reviewed and approved by an editor.

A Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) is a formalized specification for introducing changes or improvements to the Bitcoin protocol. For a BIP to be accepted, it must undergo a detailed review process that typically involves scrutiny by developers and community members. The approval by an editor is critical as it ensures that the proposal meets specific standards and aligns with the technical and governance framework of the Bitcoin network. Review by an editor helps maintain the integrity of the proposal and facilitates constructive discussions around its implementation. This vetting process involves evaluating the technical soundness and potential impact of the proposed changes, ensuring they align with community goals and network stability. The other options present misconceptions about the acceptance process of a BIP. Majority approval from government bodies is not a requirement since Bitcoin operates as a decentralized network independent of any governmental authority. The Bitcoin Foundation, while once influential, does not have the sole power to determine BIP acceptance, as the community operates mainly on consensus-driven principles. Finally, while community feedback is an important part of the process, a proposal cannot be accepted unless it has completed the necessary editorial review; mere feedback from the community does not equate to acceptance.