Investigate using `async-minreq`

[notmandatory]

Summer of Bitcoin Project Proposal

Description

The rust-esplora-client currently uses reqwest for async HTTP communications. We've had problems in the past with the reqwest MSRV being higher than the bdk MSRV. Using a simpler crate like async-minreq should solve those issues. This project is to replace reqwest with async-minreq.

Expected Outcomes

• Modify the rust-esplora-client crate to use async-minireq instead of reqwest for it's async and async-* features.
• Update all documentation and tests and verify tests pass with rust version 1.63.
• Confirm the proxy options all work with a TOR proxy.
• Update the example_wallet_esplora_async example to demonstrate using async-minreq instead of reqwest still works.
• Investigate if async-minreq can be used with a different socket transport so it can be integrated with TOR via arti.

Resources

• rust-esplora-client
• async-minreq
• example_wallet_esplora_async
• mempool.space version of electrs

Skills Required

• Experience with git. Guide
• Experience with rust. First seven chapters of the book
• Able to setup a local core node in regtest and testnet mode.
• Familiarity with the HTTP and HTTPS protocols.

Mentor(s)
@notmandatory

Difficulty
Hard

Competency Test

• Install rust, compile and run all bdk examples and tests.
• Setup a local Bitcoin Core node daemon in regtest mode.
• Setup a local esplora API server using the mempool.space version of electrs.
• Make a wallet with example_wallet_esplora_async example wallet and receive and send regtest bitcoin.