Taproot is Bitcoin’s 2021 consensus upgrade, activated at block 709,632. It introduced SegWit version 1 outputs and a way to commit to a script tree, alongside Schnorr signatures for key-path spends.
Key-path spends and Schnorr signatures
A Taproot output can be spent through a key path or, when needed, a committed script path. Schnorr signatures enable key aggregation and simpler signature handling in supported constructions.
Taproot activated in November 2021
The upgrade became active at block 709,632 after a broad node-software upgrade process.
Taproot does not make every spend look alike
A key-path spend can reveal less script detail onchain, but script-path spends disclose the selected branch and transaction patterns can still be analyzed. Wallet compatibility and transaction construction affect what observers see.
Privacy gains depend on transaction construction
Taproot improves some script-spend efficiency, but it does not conceal every spending path or make Bitcoin transactions anonymous.
Sources
Educational information, not investment advice.