@ The Nostr Review

GM, Nostriches!

The Nostr Review is a biweekly newsletter focused on Nostr statistics, protocol updates, exciting programs, the long-form content ecosystem, and key events happening in the Nostr-verse. If you’re interested, join me in covering updates from the Nostr ecosystem!

Quick review:

In the past two weeks, Nostr statistics indicate over 211,000 daily trusted pubkey events. The number of new users has seen a notable decrease, Profiles with contact lists were representing a 50% decline. More than 5 million events have been published, reflecting a 34% decrease. Total Zap activity stands at approximately 14 million, marking a 12% increase.

Additionally, 25 pull requests were submitted to the Nostr protocol, with 8 merged. A total of 60 Nostr projects were tracked, with 18 releasing product updates, and over 356 long-form articles were published, 36% focusing on Bitcoin and Nostr. During this period, 5 notable events took place, and 2 significant events are upcoming.

Nostr Statistics

Based on user activity, the total daily trusted pubkeys writing events is about 211,000, representing a slight 2.7 % decrease compared to the previous period. Daily activity peaked at 17027 events, with a low of approximately 15340.

The number of new users has decreased significantly.Profiles with contact lists were 12961, representing a decline of approximately 50% compared to the previous period. The number of profiles with bios and pubkey-written events remained stable.

The total number of note events published is around 5 million, reflecting a 34% decrease.Posts remain the most dominant category by volume, representing a 9% decrease compared to the previous period.

For zap activity, the total zap amount is about 14 million, showing an decrease of over 12% compared to the previous period.

Data source: https://stats.nostr.band/

NIPs

Introduce NIP-PNS: Private Note Storage #1893

nostr:npub1xtscya34g58tk0z605fvr788k263gsu6cy9x0mhnm87echrgufzsevkk5s is proposing PNS that empowers Nostr users with a secure and seamless way to store personal notes—like diaries, drafts, or private application settings—across devices while keeping them completely private. Built on client-side encryption, PNS ensures that only the user can read or manage their notes, even as they sync effortlessly via Nostr relays. Unlike traditional local storage or cumbersome encrypted file solutions, PNS offers privacy without sacrificing convenience, using deterministic keys tied to each user or device. It integrates directly with Nostr’s open infrastructure, enabling private data to coexist with public events—secure, synchronized, and under your control.

Create 97.md: Ring Signatures #1894

nostr:npub1u5njm6g5h5cpw4wy8xugu62e5s7f6fnysv0sj0z3a8rengt2zqhsxrldq3 is proposing a PR that ring signatures can be synergistic with other web of trust related tools.

Introduce NIP: Relay metadata propagation #1900

nostr:npub1txukm7xckhnxkwu450sm59vh2znwm45mewaps4awkef2tvsgh4vsf7phrl is proposing a simple propagation mechanism for kind:0 (user metadata) and kind:10002 (relay list metadata) events between relays. Relays are allowed to forward such events to their peers, improving client synchronization.

Rewrite the DVM spec #1904

nostr:npub1gzuushllat7pet0ccv9yuhygvc8ldeyhrgxuwg744dn5khnpk3gs3ea5ds defines a standardized interaction pattern for Nostr Data Vending Machines (DVMs). It focuses on how clients discover DVM capabilities, request jobs, and receive results. This NIP decouples the core DVM interaction from specific job-type implementations, which should be defined in separate documents.

NIP-47 Add Hold Invoice Support #1913

frnandu is proposing PR that introduces support for hold invoices in the Nostr Wallet Connect (NIP-47) protocol.Hold invoices enable more advanced payment workflows where the receiver must explicitly settle or cancel the invoice using the preimage. This allows for enhanced control and coordination in payment flows, such as conditional payments or escrow-like behavior.

Add A Generic Raitng/Review NIP #1914

nostr:npub1cgd35mxmy37vhkfcmjckk9dylguz6q8l67cj6h9m45tj5rx569cql9kfex is proposing generic nip that meant to handle all categories of things via namespaced Ids.

Notable Projects

​​Coracle 0.6.15 nostr:npub13myx4j0pp9uenpjjq68wdvqzywuwxfj64welu28mdvaku222mjtqzqv3qk

New version of Coracle is out: 0.6.15 — this one is just more QoL improvements and bugfixes — the big one this time is better blossom support (and dropping nip 96!). * Fix safe areas more * Improve remote signing * Drop nip 96 support * Use user blossom servers * Improve profile edit page * Avoid duplicate notes in feeds

Flotilla nostr:npub1jlrs53pkdfjnts29kveljul2sm0actt6n8dxrrzqcersttvcuv3qdjynqn

New version of Flotilla is out as well — 1.0.2 is mostly cleanup from the 1.0 release earlier this week. * Fix add relay button * Fix safe inset areas * Better rendering for errors from relays * Improve remote signer login

Damus Notedeck Beta nostr:npub18m76awca3y37hkvuneavuw6pjj4525fw90necxmadrvjg0sdy6qsngq955

New in Notedeck Beta: * Dave nostr ai assistant app * GIFs! * Fulltext note search * Add full screen images, add zoom & pan * Zaps! NWC/ Wallet ui * Introduce last note per pubkey feed (experimental) * Allow multiple media uploads per selection * Major Android improvements (still wip) * Added notedeck app sidebar * User Tagging * Note truncation * Local network note broadcast, broadcast notes to other notedeck notes while you're offline * Mute list support (reading) * Relay list support * Ctrl-enter to send notes * Added relay indexing (relay columns soon) * Click hashtags to open hashtag timeline

Primal V2.2 nostr:npub12vkcxr0luzwp8e673v29eqjhrr7p9vqq8asav85swaepclllj09sylpugg

Version 2.2 is now live, bringing long-awaited features like Amber signing support and much more. Here’s what’s new: * Blossom media * Push notifications * Notifications overhaul * External signer support * Feed: image gallery revamp * Muted words, hashtags, & threads * Request delete for notes and articles * System photos: share via Primal

Nostur nostr:npub1n0stur7q092gyverzc2wfc00e8egkrdnnqq3alhv7p072u89m5es5mk6h0

New in this version: * Add blossom media server support * Support multiple blossom servers as mirror * Fixed feed position reset on audio bar toggle * Fixed post screenshot broken for quoted posts

Fountain 1.2 nostr:npub1v5ufyh4lkeslgxxcclg8f0hzazhaw7rsrhvfquxzm2fk64c72hps45n0v5

Fountain 1.2 is live on iOS and Android This massive update brings significant design and UX improvements across the app along with new episode summaries features. Here's what's new: * Library Design Update: Fountain has made it much easier to navigate between podcasts and music in the library with the addition of new content-type filters. The Recently Played view allows users to quickly jump back into what they were listening to before, and the design of the content cards has also been refreshed. * Content Pages Design Update: All content pages—including shows, episodes, artists, albums, tracks, clips, and playlists—have undergone an extensive redesign. The previous tab layout has been replaced with scrollable pages, show notes formatting has been improved, and features like chapters and transcripts have been revamped. * Episode Summaries: Each episode page now features a Summary button above the show notes. Users can pay 500 sats to unlock a summary or upgrade to Fountain Premium for $2.99/month to enjoy unlimited summaries. Summaries and transcripts are now bundled together, and they’re faster, cheaper, and more accurate than ever before. * Playback Improvements: The audio engine has been completely rebuilt from the ground up. Playback is now more robust and reliable—especially for music. Tracks now play instantly when tapped, and users can skip seamlessly between tracks in albums and playlists. The player interface has also been updated for easier access to show notes, comments, transcripts, and chapters, with the addition of a smart resume feature for podcasts.

DEG Mods nostr:npub17jl3ldd6305rnacvwvchx03snauqsg4nz8mruq0emj9thdpglr2sst825x

• New Events Aggregator Server, a type of aggregate/caching server that helps collect and organize mod and blog posts from the (nostr) network and presents them to the user, providing more (immensely more) reliability in discovering and presenting mods and blog posts.
• Adjusted how the mods and blogs are fetched and presented in various pages (there's now pagination for each of their pages, making navigation easier than before).
• Minor adjustment to the design of the gallery of mod posts.
• Images in a social post (in /feed) are now clustered depending on if they're next to each other.
• Quote-repost chain won't render its preview with the second quote-repost (under the posts tab in the feed page).
• Added media upload to the edit profile page.
• The games page now has a filter to switch between popular ones (shows the most popular games first based on mods published to it) or latest ones (shows games based on the latest published mods).
• Mods that are blocked by the user are now swapped with a box telling the user this is a blocked mod by them, with an option to see what that mod is.
• Mods can now be properly discovered, as soon as they're discovered, and presented (Because of that aggregate server implementation).
• A lot more games, with better search term prioritization, are now properly showing when searching in the mod submission page
• Visiting a social post directly is now visible without needing to login

RUNSTR nostr:npub1vygzr642y6f8gxcjx6auaf2vd25lyzarpjkwx9kr4y752zy6058s8jvy4e

• Record your cardio and post to nostr
• Save your stats to nostr
• Listen to your nostr:npub1yfg0d955c2jrj2080ew7pa4xrtj7x7s7umt28wh0zurwmxgpyj9shwv6vg playlists and zap your favorite artists
• Interact with the Kind1 RUNSTR Feed
• Interact with NIP29 run clubs

voca v0.1.4

nostr:npub17h9fn2ny0lycg7kmvxmw6gqdnv2epya9h9excnjw9wvml87nyw8sqy3hpu Now it's possible to keep playing your text while voca is in the background.

Wasabi Wallet v2.6.0 nostr:npub1jw7scmeuewhywwytqxkxec9jcqf3znw2fsyddcn3948lw9q950ps9y35fg

• Support for Standard BIP 158 Block Filters
• Full Node Integration Rework
• Create & Recover SLIP 39 Shares
• Nostr Update Manager

Futr nostr nostr:npub18wxf0t5jsmcpy57ylzx595twskx8eyj382lj7wp9rtlhzdg5hnnqvt4xra

• Solved memory leak in Qt5
• Fixed recursive re-rendering bug in Qt5
• Enable QML debugger through Haskell binding
• Improve event handling and Qt5 signal triggering

ZEUS v0.11.0 nostr:npub1xnf02f60r9v0e5kty33a404dm79zr7z2eepyrk5gsq3m7pwvsz2sazlpr5

ZEUS v0.11.0-alpha3 with Cashu support is now available for testing: * Fix: addresses issues with sweeping Cashu tokens to self-custody with remote connections * Feat: Core Lightning: Taproot address support * Misc: UX enhancements * Cashu wallets are tied to Embedded LND wallets. Enable under Settings > Ecash * Other wallet types can still sweep funds from Cashu tokens * ZEUS Pay now supports Cashu address types. You can switch between Zaplocker, Cashu, and NWC mode but can only use one at a time.

Oracolo nostr:npub10000003zmk89narqpczy4ff6rnuht2wu05na7kpnh3mak7z2tqzsv8vwqk

Now the short notes block has two new styles: "Board" and "Full content"; the former shows notes in a pinterest-like fashion on two columns, while the latter shows full notes in full screen.

Umbrel 1.4.1 nostr:npub1aghreq2dpz3h3799hrawev5gf5zc2kt4ch9ykhp9utt0jd3gdu2qtlmhct

• Search files anywhere with ⌘/Ctrl + K
• New Favorites & Recents widgets
• Real-time transfer speed + ETA
• Snappier performance
• Several other enhancements & fixes

Shopstr v0.4.2 nostr:npub15dc33fyg3cpd9r58vlqge2hh8dy6hkkrjxkhluv2xpyfreqkmsesesyv6e

This update brings the following improvements and fixes: * Added Blossom media support for image uploads with metadata stripping * Added a terms of service and privacy policy * Added pagination for product viewing * Fixed relay list duplication bug * Removed excessive bottom margin on marketplace page

nostr.build nostr:npub1nxy4qpqnld6kmpphjykvx2lqwvxmuxluddwjamm4nc29ds3elyzsm5avr7

The latest free features are: * 100MB upload size * Blossom support * David Lynch tribute page

openvibe nostr:npub1plstrz6dhu8q4fq0e4rjpxe2fxe5x87y2w6xpm70gh9qh5tt66kqkgkx8j

• Share Even Further : Crosspost from one network to another, or take posts beyond the open social web. Share anything, anywhere — effortlessly from

Ditto.13 nostr:npub10qdp2fc9ta6vraczxrcs8prqnv69fru2k6s2dj48gqjcylulmtjsg9arpj

Ditto 1.3 is all about discovery. From improved search and event fetching to a brand-new Explore tab, this release makes it easier than ever to find people, posts, and conversations across the #Nostr network. We've also rolled out streaks, media improvements, translation upgrades, and key admin tools.

Long-Form Content Eco

In the past two weeks, more than 356 long-form articles have been published, including over 90 articles on Bitcoin and more than 37 related to Nostr, accounting for 36% of the total content.

These articles about Nostr mainly explore the ongoing evolution and challenges of the decentralized protocol, including relay scalability, spam mitigation, signer tools, and publishing workflows. They highlight the network’s technical progress as it handles increasing data loads and infrastructure demands, while also addressing issues like spam and search limitations. Many articles focus on content creation and distribution, showcasing tools for decentralized publishing and media hosting. Others introduce practical guides for secure identity management and signer usage. The ecosystem’s economic potential is also discussed, with suggestions for monetization and community growth. Personal reflections and critiques further illustrate the culture and complexity of Nostr as it expands.

These articles about Bitcoin cover a broad spectrum of topics, highlighting its evolving role in technology, culture, and the global economy. They discuss core concepts such as decentralization, financial sovereignty, and Bitcoin as digital gold, while also addressing current issues like OP_RETURN restrictions, mining centralization, and environmental concerns. Real-world use cases—such as remittances, merchant adoption, and Bitcoin's growth in emerging markets like Africa and South America—are frequently explored. Many articles focus on user education, including wallet security, key management, and node operation. Others provide commentary through book reviews, political reflections, and personal narratives, illustrating how Bitcoin is shaping both individual behavior and institutional thinking.
Thank you, nostr:npub186a9aaqmyp436j0gkxl8yswhat2ampahxunpmfjv80qwyaglywhqswhd06 nostr:npub1xncam2l8u5chg6w096v89f2q2l0lz4jz4n7q7tdjsu6y5t9qea7q2cmrua nostr:npub10m6lrv2kaf08a8um0plhj5dj6yqlw7qxzeag6393z352zrs0e5nsr2tff3 nostr:npub15hhygatg5gmjyfkkguqn54f9r6k8m5m6ksyqffgjrf3uut982sqsffn4vc nostr:npub18ams6ewn5aj2n3wt2qawzglx9mr4nzksxhvrdc4gzrecw7n5tvjqctp424 nostr:npub1rsv7kx5avkmq74p85v878e9d5g3w626343xhyg76z5ctfc30kz7q9u4dke nostr:npub1jp3776ujdul56rfkkrv8rxxgrslqr07rz83xpmz3ndl74lg7ngys320eg2 nostr:npub1dk8z5f8pkrn2746xuhfk347a0g6fsxh20wk492fh9h8lkha2efxqgeq55a nostr:npub18sufer6dgm9gzvt8gw37x08dk8gxr8u80rh8f4rjv4m4u73wlalsygnz5q nostr:npub1qpdufhjpel94srm3ett2azgf49m9dp3n5nm2j0rt0l2mlmc3ux3qza082j nostr:npub1th6p84x9u5p4lagglkvm8zepa2dq4s9eanp57vcj4w5652kafads7m930q nostr:npub1xx8t4wk2cvnz5ez7sxkvx40phgqa05a8qas4mcss0fjcdx3x96hq7jdm20 npub1qn4ylq6s79tz4gwkphq8q4sltwurs6s36xsq2u8aw3qd5ggwzuf, nostr:npub1jrr9dlerex7tg8njvc88c60asxnf5dp8hgcerh0q8w3gdyurl48q6s5nwv nostr:npub1harur8s4wmwzgrugwdmrd9gcv6zzfkzfmp36xu4tel0ces7j2uas3gcqdy and others, for your work. Enriching Nostr’s long-form content ecosystem is crucial.

Nostriches Global Meet Ups

Recently, several Nostr events have been hosted in different countries. * Recently, YakiHonne collaborated with the University of Jos and Ipaybtc community to successfully host two Nostr Workshops, attracting over 50 enthusiastic participants. The events not only provided a comprehensive introduction to the Nostr ecosystem and Bitcoin payments but also offered hands-on experiences with decentralized technologies through the YakiHonne platform.
The Nostr & Poker Night* was held on April 30 at the Bitcoin Embassy in El Salvador.

The event featured an engaging Nostr-themed presentation by nostr:npub1dmnzphvk097ahcpecwfeml08xw8sg2cj4vux55m5xalqtzz9t78q6k3kv6 followed by a relaxed and enjoyable poker night. Notably, 25% of the poker tournament prize was donated to support MyFirstBitcoin and its mission to provide Bitcoin education. * A free webinar on venture capital, Bitcoin, and cryptocurrencies was held online on May 6 at 12:00 PM (ARG time). Organized in collaboration with Draper Cygnus, the event introduced the fundamentals of venture capital, showcased the projects of ONG Bitcoin Argentina Academy, and provided attendees with the opportunity to interact with the guest speakers. * Bitcoin Unveiled: Demystifying Freedom Money was held on May 10, 2025, at Almara Hub. The event explored Bitcoin’s transformative potential, helping participants understand its purpose, learn how to get started, build a career in the Bitcoin space, and begin their Bitcoin savings journey. Featured speakers included nostr:npub1sn0q3zptdcm8qh8ktyhwtrnr9htwpykav8qnryhusr9mcr9ustxqe4tr2x Theophilus Isah, nostr:npub1s7xkezkzlfvya6ce6cuhzwswtxqm787pwddk2395pt9va4ulzjjszuz67p and Megasley.

Here is the upcoming Nostr event that you might want to check out. * The Bitcoin 2025 conference was held from May 26 to 29 at the Venetian Convention Center in Las Vegas, with the Nostr community hosting a series of vibrant activities. While the Nostr Lounge served as a central hub for socializing and technical exchange, featuring app demos, lightning talks, and limited-edition merchandise. Nostr also delivered two key presentations during the conference, focusing on multisig key management and the future of decentralized social media. * BTC Prague 2025 is the largest and most influential Bitcoin-only conference in Europe. It will take place from June 19 to 21, 2025, at PVA Expo Praha in Prague, Czech Republic. The event is expected to attract over 10,000 attendees from around the world, including entrepreneurs, developers, investors, and educators.

The conference will feature more than 200 speakers from various sectors of the global Bitcoin ecosystem, nostr:npub14gm6rq7rkw56cd08aa4k5tvjnepqnxm4xvc535wj0wyjxlgrfa8sqdgv87 nostr:npub1dg6es53r3hys9tk3n7aldgz4lx4ly8qu4zg468zwyl6smuhjjrvsnhsguz nostr:npub1ymgefd46k55yfwph8tdlxur573puastaqdmxff4vj20xj0uh3p2s06k8d5 nostr:npub1jt97tpsul3fp8hvf7zn0vzzysmu9umcrel4hpgflg4vnsytyxwuqt8la9y nostr:npub1dtgg8yk3h23ldlm6jsy79tz723p4sun9mz62tqwxqe7c363szkzqm8up6m nostr:npub1g53mukxnjkcmr94fhryzkqutdz2ukq4ks0gvy5af25rgmwsl4ngq43drvk nostr:npub16c0nh3dnadzqpm76uctf5hqhe2lny344zsmpm6feee9p5rdxaa9q586nvr

and more. In addition to the main program, several side events will be held, such as Developer Hack Days, Cypherpunk gatherings, and Women in Bitcoin initiatives.

Additionally, We warmly invite event organizers who have held recent activities to reach out to us so we can work together to promote the prosperity and development of the Nostr ecosystem.

Thanks for reading! If there’s anything I missed, feel free to reach out and help improve the completeness and accuracy of my coverage.