New Core Member Joins Trusted Keys Team
The Bitcoin Core development team officially announced on January 8, 2026, that the anonymous developer TheCharlatan (alias sedited) has been elevated to a Trusted Keys maintainer. This decision marks the first expansion of the Trusted Keys team since May 2023.
The new member will work alongside current core contributors Marco Falke, Gloria Zhao, Ryan Ofsky, Hennadii Stepanov, and Ava Chow to maintain critical permissions for the Bitcoin main branch.
Technical Background and Contributions
TheCharlatan, a graduate of the University of Zurich in computer science, focuses on reproducible builds and verification logic. Within the Bitcoin ecosystem, his work has centered on improving code reliability and verifiability.
- Specializes in reproducible builds
- Enhances verification logic
- Strengthens system security
His appointment received strong support from the core contributor community, who believe he possesses the necessary technical expertise and responsibility.