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I could download a bootstrap.dat.torrent from bitcoin.org before, but it is no longer available. Does bitcoin.org still maintain it?

Is there another source for downloading a bootstrap.dat? I am stuck with a 0.9.x version of BitcoinCore for testing purposes, and the bootstrap.dat would improve synchronization for me.

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  • possible duplicate: Can I download the whole block chain from somewhere?
    – Murch ♦
    Commented Jun 12, 2015 at 13:40
  • 1
    I know bootstrap.dat, it just because bitcoin.org remove the link of bootstrap.dat.torrent.
    – ZhouQi
    Commented Jun 12, 2015 at 13:52
  • Sorry, if I changed the intent of your question. Please feel free to rollback my changes or further edit your post to better align it with your intent.
    – Murch ♦
    Commented Jun 12, 2015 at 13:54

4 Answers 4

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As user Bitcoin has already pointed out, using a bootstrap.dat is no longer recommended—you can see the release notes for the new faster-synchronization feature here.

As a result, the bootstrap.dat torrent links were removed from bitcoin.org after a short discussion.

The bootstrap.dat file is still available here on the bitcointalk.org forum, and jgarzik has indicated that he will continue to occasionally update it "for academic research and development purposes."

Another alternative is the version which has been maintained by Armory Technologies, available here. At the time of this writing, it is more up-to-date than jgarzik's bootstrap.dat, however it's not clear if it will receive any future updates.

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  • To whomever downvoted my answer: can you please explain why this is incorrect and/or how it can be improved?
    – Christopher Gurnee
    Commented Jun 12, 2015 at 13:38
  • I think yours is an exemplary answer. It treats all aspects of the question, i.e. why the bootstrap.dat its no longer listed on bitcoin.org, where the bootstrap still can be found andwhat alternative approaches exist. Meanwhile, it is well-written and commendably sourced. Have an upvote.
    – Murch ♦
    Commented Jun 12, 2015 at 13:47
  • @Murch Much obliged; regardless I'm always open to constructive criticism and to fixing any mistakes I make.
    – Christopher Gurnee
    Commented Jun 12, 2015 at 13:52
  • Your answer is what I want to know, thank you!
    – ZhouQi
    Commented Jun 12, 2015 at 13:53
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    @Murch Afraid not—headers-first broke backwards compatibility of the block files and LevelDB databases (noted here in the release notes).
    – Christopher Gurnee
    Commented Jun 12, 2015 at 13:59
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It's not necessary so is not being updated anymore. Using a bootstrap torrent is slower than downloading from the network using Bitcoin Core 0.10.0 or above due to improvements in the block downloading method.

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  • Thank you, but I need use 0.9.x for now, because my program is not test for 0.10.x yet.
    – ZhouQi
    Commented Jun 12, 2015 at 13:38
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Here is a thread where someone is providing updated bootstrap.dat downloads on BitcoinTalk:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1310261.msg13412290#msg13412290

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I see it here: https://bitcoin.org/bin/block-chain/

Maybe it was removed but it's back again?

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