Proposed soft forks originating from the bitcoin community undergo a rigorous process before implementation. These ideas percolate up from the community, where they are studied and debated extensively. If there is enough interest, the proposed soft fork may be assigned a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) number.
Once a proposed soft fork has a BIP number, it faces even more debates and security reviews. Community members discuss the potential impact, benefits, and risks associated with the proposed change. The decision-making process can be lengthy and intense, with multiple rounds of debates and discussions.
If a proposed soft fork manages to win the consensus of the community, it must then be activated as a soft fork. The activation process itself is a subject of debate within the community, as different stakeholders may have varying opinions on the best approach.
Overall, the evolution of bitcoin soft forks showcases the decentralized and democratic nature of the community. Ideas are proposed, debated, and implemented through a collaborative effort, with the ultimate goal of improving the functionality and security of the bitcoin network.
