BIP324 (p2p encryption) and AssumeUTXO (for testnet and signet) were both merged this morning! They'll be ready for testing in the upcoming v26 release.
Both features are opt-in.
Discussion
Podcast explaining p2p encryption: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2LFUCwH22KMYx6LEoVeZbI
Book explaining assume utxo (and other things): https://www.btcwip.com
I was about ask 😂
Fountain link:
What’s AssumeUTXO?
Things are getting merged in BitoinCore. P2P encryption is big!