Polkadot Digest 21 Feb 2024

Polkadot News

A new version of the Polkadot host, v1.7.1, has been released. https://github.com/paritytech/polkadot-sdk/releases/tag/polkadot-v1.7.1

For Polkadot and Kusama validators - Warp Sync once again works with BEEFY. https://github.com/paritytech/polkadot-sdk/issues/1118#issuecomment-1943366291

There will be a Polkadot Minisummit at EthDenver on 28 Feb, with speakers from Kilt, Phala, Robonomics, Acurast and other parachain teams. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/polkadot-minisummit-ethdenver24-tickets-825569098397

Referendum 512, proposing an airdrop for attendees of the official EthDenver Afterparty, has passed and executed. https://polkadot.polkassembly.io/referenda/512

Polkadot was recently covered by the NASDAQ blog. https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/how-one-blockchain-turned-to-real-decentralization-to-refocus-on-its-development-efforts

The next parachain lease auction begins today at ~ 14.00 UTC. https://parachains.info/auctions

Kusama News

Kusama validators should upgrade to v1.7.1 as soon as possible. It fixes the recent performance / finality stalling issues seen on Kusama. https://github.com/paritytech/polkadot-sdk/releases/tag/polkadot-v1.7.1

With four days left in the current parachain auction, anonymous parathread ID 3346 has been in the lead the majority of the Ending Period, although Integritee Kusama has also been in the lead for a few blocks. https://parachains.info/auctions/kusama