In this release we have strived to simplify the API, [using native types](https://github.com/bitcoinjs/bitcoinjs-lib/issues/407) wherevever possible to encourage cross-compatibility with other open source community modules.
The `ecdsa` module has been removed in lieu of using a new ECDSA module (for performance and safety reasons) during the `2.x.y` major release.
Several other cumbersome modules have been removed, with their new independent modules recommended for usage instead for greater modularity in your projects.
-----------------------------
Backward incompatible changes:
__added__
- export `address`, for `address` based [utility functions](https://github.com/bitcoinjs/bitcoinjs-lib/blob/master/src/address.js), most compatible, just without `Address` instantiation, see #401, #444
- export `script`, for `script` based [utility functions](https://github.com/bitcoinjs/bitcoinjs-lib/blob/master/src/script.js), mostly compatible, just without `Script` instantiation, see #438, #444
- export `ECPair`, a merged replacement for `ECKey`/`ECPubKey`, invalid types will throw via `typeforce`
__changed__
-`address.toOutputScript`, `ECPair.prototype.fromWIF` and `HDNode.prototype.fromBase58` no longer automatically detect the network, `networks.bitcoin` is always assumed unless given.
-`assert` was used for type checking, now replaced by `typeforce`
-`BIP66` compliant strict DER signature validation was added to `ECSignature.fromDER`, changing the exact exception messages slightly, see #448.
-`Transaction.prototype.addInput(hash, ...)`: `hash` could be a string, Transaction or Buffer -> `hash` can now **only** be a `Buffer`.
-`Transaction.prototype.addOutput(scriptPubKey, ...)`: `scriptPubKey ` could be a string, `Address` or a `Buffer` -> `scriptPubKey` can now **only** be a `Buffer`.
-`TransactionBuilder` API unchanged.
__removed__
- export `Address`, `strings` are now used, benchwith no performance loss for most use cases
- export `base58check`, use [`bs58check`](https://github.com/bitcoinjs/bs58check) instead
- export `ecdsa`, use [`ecurve`](https://github.com/cryptocoinjs/ecurve) instead
- export `ECKey`, use new export `ECPair` instead
- export `ECPubKey`, use new export `ECPair` instead
- export `Wallet`, see README.md#complementing-libraries instead
- export `Script`, use new utility export `script` instead (#438 for more information)
-`crypto.HmacSHA256 `, use [node crypto](https://nodejs.org/api/crypto.html) instead
-`crypto.HmacSHA512 `, use [node crypto](https://nodejs.org/api/crypto.html) instead
-`Transaction.prototype.sign`, use `TransactionBuilder.prototype.sign`
-`Transaction.prototype.signInput`, use `TransactionBuilder.prototype.sign`
-`Transaction.prototype.validateInput`, use `Transaction.prototype.hashForSignature` and `ECPair.verify`
-`HDNode.fromBuffer`, use `HDNode.fromBase58` instead
-`HDNode.fromHex`, use `HDNode.fromBase58` instead
-`HDNode.toBuffer`, use `HDNode.prototype.toBase58` instead
-`HDNode.toHex`, use `HDNode.prototype.toBase58` instead
-`networks.*.magic`, see the comment [here](https://github.com/bitcoinjs/bitcoinjs-lib/pull/432/files#r36715792)
-`networks.[viacoin|viacointestnet|gamerscoin|jumbucks|zetacoin]`, import these yourself (see #383/a0e6ee7)
