Polkadot News
Polkadot 0.9.41 has been released. This is a client-only (no runtime) release being released with MEDIUM upgrade priority. Release Polkadot v0.9.41 · paritytech/polkadot · GitHub
This release should fix the dispute issues that occurred with 0.9.40, along with some minor networking fixes.
If you’re interested in my Blockchain Africa talk on “Building on Polkadot”, you can watch it here: Blockchain Africa Conference 2023 - Bill Laboon - YouTube
W3F Researcher Jonas Gehrlein has released a new paper, ”An active preference learning approach to aid the selection of validators in blockchain environment”. An active preference learning approach to aid the selection of validators in blockchain environments - ScienceDirect
There are now over 3 million staked in nomination pools (thanks to @dotinsights_xyz for noticing) https://twitter.com/dotinsights_xyz/status/1643240360578281472
Motion 381, proposing to add a Bridge Hub system parachain to Polkadot, is under consideration by the Polkadot Council. https://polkadot.polkassembly.io/motion/381
Kusama News
With six hours left in the current parachain lease auction, Alpha Network is in the lead, but Acurast has been in the lead the majority of the Ending Period. Kusama Auctions and Crowdloans | Parachains.info
The winner of the auction will be determined depending on which block is retroactively determined to be the end of the auction. For details on how candle auctions work, see Parachain Slot Auctions · Polkadot Wiki
The Polkadot Digest will be taking a short break, but will return Tuesday, 11 April.