diff --git a/crypto777/OS_portable.h b/crypto777/OS_portable.h
index 90ddda7c6..422a8314a 100755
--- a/crypto777/OS_portable.h
+++ b/crypto777/OS_portable.h
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ uint8_t *iguana_varint32(int32_t rwflag,uint8_t *serialized,uint16_t *varint16p)
 uint8_t *iguana_varint64(int32_t rwflag,uint8_t *serialized,uint32_t *varint32p);
 int32_t iguana_rwvarint(int32_t rwflag,uint8_t *serialized,uint64_t *varint64p);
 int32_t iguana_rwvarint32(int32_t rwflag,uint8_t *serialized,uint32_t *int32p);
-int32_t iguana_rwstr(int32_t rwflag,uint8_t *serialized,int32_t maxlen,char *endianedp);
+int32_t iguana_rwvarstr(int32_t rwflag,uint8_t *serialized,int32_t maxlen,char *endianedp);
 int32_t iguana_rwmem(int32_t rwflag,uint8_t *serialized,int32_t len,void *endianedp);
 
 bits256 bits256_doublesha256(char *hashstr,uint8_t *data,int32_t datalen);
diff --git a/crypto777/iguana_serdes.c b/crypto777/iguana_serdes.c
index f8430ea2e..eff6f3e5f 100755
--- a/crypto777/iguana_serdes.c
+++ b/crypto777/iguana_serdes.c
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ int32_t iguana_rwvarint32(int32_t rwflag,uint8_t *serialized,uint32_t *int32p)
     return(len);
 }
 
-int32_t iguana_rwstr(int32_t rwflag,uint8_t *serialized,int32_t maxlen,char *endianedp)
+int32_t iguana_rwvarstr(int32_t rwflag,uint8_t *serialized,int32_t maxlen,char *endianedp)
 {
     int32_t vlen; uint64_t n;
     if ( rwflag == 0 )
diff --git a/iguana/iguana777.h b/iguana/iguana777.h
index 032ca9a86..5ab4fa09d 100755
--- a/iguana/iguana777.h
+++ b/iguana/iguana777.h
@@ -227,6 +227,7 @@ struct iguana_chain
     char use_addmultisig,do_opreturn;
     int32_t estblocktime;
     bits256 PoWtarget,PoStargets[16]; int32_t numPoStargets,PoSheights[16];
+    uint8_t alertpubkey[65];
 };
 
 struct iguana_msgaddress {	uint32_t nTime; uint64_t nServices; uint8_t ip[16]; uint16_t port; } __attribute__((packed));
@@ -243,6 +244,20 @@ struct iguana_msgversion
     uint8_t relayflag;
 } __attribute__((packed));
 
+struct iguana_msgalert // warning, many varints/variable length fields, struct is 1:1
+{
+    int32_t version;
+    int64_t relayuntil,expiration;
+    int32_t ID,cancel;
+    uint32_t numcancellist;
+    int32_t minver,maxver;
+    uint32_t setsubvervar; char subver[1024];
+    int32_t priority;
+    char comment[1024],statusbar[1024],reserved[1024];
+    uint8_t siglen,sig[74];
+    uint32_t list[64];
+};
+
 struct iguana_VPNversion
 {
 	uint32_t nVersion;
@@ -1019,6 +1034,7 @@ char *bitcoin_calcrawtx(struct supernet_info *myinfo,struct iguana_info *coin,cJ
 char *bitcoin_blockhashstr(char *coinstr,char *serverport,char *userpass,int32_t height);
 bits256 basilisk_blockhash(struct iguana_info *coin,bits256 prevhash2);
 void calc_scrypthash(uint32_t *hash,void *data);
+int32_t iguana_rwvarstr(int32_t rwflag,uint8_t *serialized,int32_t maxlen,char *endianedp);
 
 extern int32_t HDRnet,netBLOCKS;
 
diff --git a/iguana/iguana_chains.c b/iguana/iguana_chains.c
index 3ceeebbda..0f55694ea 100755
--- a/iguana/iguana_chains.c
+++ b/iguana/iguana_chains.c
@@ -393,9 +393,12 @@ void iguana_chaininit(struct iguana_chain *chain,int32_t hasheaders,cJSON *argjs
     }
     chain->hasheaders = hasheaders;
     chain->minoutput = 10000;
-    if ( strcmp(chain->symbol,"LTC") == 0 || strcmp(chain->symbol,"VPN") == 0 )
-        chain->hashalgo = blockhash_sha256;//blockhash_scrypt;
-    else chain->hashalgo = blockhash_sha256;
+    if ( strcmp(chain->symbol,"LTC") == 0 )
+    {
+        char *pubkeystr = "040184710fa689ad5023690c80f3a49c8f13f8d45b8c857fbcbc8bc4a8e4d3eb4b10f4d4604fa08dce601aaf0f470216fe1b51850b4acf21b179c45070ac7b03a9";
+        decode_hex(chain->alertpubkey,(int32_t)strlen(pubkeystr)>>1,pubkeystr);
+    }
+    chain->hashalgo = blockhash_sha256; // most all coins seem to use this for blockchain
     if ( strcmp(chain->symbol,"BTC") == 0 )
     {
         chain->unitval = 0x1d;
diff --git a/iguana/iguana_init.c b/iguana/iguana_init.c
index 0b825b713..31ba3c166 100755
--- a/iguana/iguana_init.c
+++ b/iguana/iguana_init.c
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ void iguana_parseline(struct iguana_info *coin,int32_t iter,FILE *fp)
     {
         j = (int32_t)strlen(line) - 1;
         line[j] = 0;
-        printf("parse line.(%s) maxpeers.%d\n",line,coin->MAXPEERS);
+        //printf("parse line.(%s) maxpeers.%d\n",line,coin->MAXPEERS);
         if ( iter == 0 )
         {
             if ( m < coin->MAXPEERS-3 )//&& m < 77.7 )
diff --git a/iguana/iguana_instantdex.c b/iguana/iguana_instantdex.c
index 9d924db2a..c78080286 100755
--- a/iguana/iguana_instantdex.c
+++ b/iguana/iguana_instantdex.c
@@ -356,8 +356,8 @@ bits256 instantdex_rwoffer(int32_t rwflag,int32_t *lenp,uint8_t *serialized,stru
     {
         memset(offer,0,sizeof(*offer));
     }
-    len += iguana_rwstr(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(offer->base),offer->base);
-    len += iguana_rwstr(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(offer->rel),offer->rel);
+    len += iguana_rwvarstr(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(offer->base),offer->base);
+    len += iguana_rwvarstr(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(offer->rel),offer->rel);
     len += iguana_rwnum(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(offer->price64),&offer->price64);
     len += iguana_rwnum(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(offer->basevolume64),&offer->basevolume64);
     len += iguana_rwnum(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(offer->account),&offer->account);
diff --git a/iguana/iguana_msg.c b/iguana/iguana_msg.c
index 22d3a0a74..54f1c8c2e 100755
--- a/iguana/iguana_msg.c
+++ b/iguana/iguana_msg.c
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ int32_t iguana_rwversion(int32_t rwflag,uint8_t *serialized,struct iguana_msgver
     len += iguana_rwaddr(rwflag,&serialized[len],&msg->addrTo,MIN_PROTO_VERSION);
     len += iguana_rwaddr(rwflag,&serialized[len],&msg->addrFrom,MIN_PROTO_VERSION);
     len += iguana_rwnum(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->nonce),&msg->nonce);
-    len += iguana_rwstr(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->strSubVer),msg->strSubVer);
+    len += iguana_rwvarstr(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->strSubVer),msg->strSubVer);
     len += iguana_rwnum(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->nStartingHeight),&msg->nStartingHeight);
     if ( readsize == 117 )
     {
@@ -136,6 +136,49 @@ int32_t iguana_rwblockhash(int32_t rwflag,uint8_t *serialized,uint32_t *nVersion
     return(len);
 }
 
+int32_t iguana_rwmsgalert(struct iguana_info *coin,int32_t rwflag,uint8_t *serialized,struct iguana_msgalert *msg)
+{
+    bits256 alerthash2; int32_t i,plen,isvalid,len = 0;
+    len += iguana_rwnum(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->version),&msg->version);
+    len += iguana_rwnum(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->relayuntil),&msg->relayuntil);
+    len += iguana_rwnum(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->expiration),&msg->expiration);
+    len += iguana_rwnum(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->ID),&msg->ID);
+    len += iguana_rwnum(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->cancel),&msg->cancel);
+    len += iguana_rwvarint32(rwflag,&serialized[len],&msg->numcancellist);
+    if ( msg->numcancellist != 0 )
+    {
+        for (i=0; i<msg->numcancellist; i++)
+            len += iguana_rwnum(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->version),&msg->list[i]);
+    }
+    len += iguana_rwnum(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->minver),&msg->minver);
+    len += iguana_rwnum(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->maxver),&msg->maxver);
+    len += iguana_rwvarint32(rwflag,&serialized[len],&msg->setsubvervar);
+    len += iguana_rwvarstr(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->subver),msg->subver);
+    len += iguana_rwnum(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->priority),&msg->priority);
+    len += iguana_rwvarstr(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->comment),msg->comment);
+    len += iguana_rwvarstr(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->statusbar),msg->statusbar);
+    len += iguana_rwvarstr(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->reserved),msg->reserved);
+    alerthash2 = bits256_doublesha256(0,serialized,len);
+    len += iguana_rwnum(rwflag,&serialized[len],sizeof(msg->siglen),&msg->siglen);
+    if ( msg->siglen >= 70 && msg->siglen < 74 )
+    {
+        if ( rwflag == 0 )
+            memcpy(msg->sig,&serialized[len],msg->siglen);
+        else memcpy(&serialized[len],msg->sig,msg->siglen);
+        len += msg->siglen;
+        plen = bitcoin_pubkeylen(coin->chain->alertpubkey);
+        isvalid = (bitcoin_verify(coin->ctx,msg->sig,msg->siglen,alerthash2,coin->chain->alertpubkey,plen) == 0);
+        for (i=0; i<msg->siglen; i++)
+            printf("%02x",msg->sig[i]);
+        printf(" %s\n",isvalid != 0 ? "VALIDSIG" : "SIGERROR");
+        for (i=0; i<plen; i++)
+            printf("%02x",coin->chain->alertpubkey[i]);
+        char str[65]; printf(" alertpubkey.%d, alerthash2.%s\n",plen,bits256_str(str,alerthash2));
+    } else msg->siglen = 0;
+    printf("  ALERT v.%d relay.%llu expires.%llu ID.%d cancel.%d numlist.%d minver.%d maxver.%d subver.(%s) priority.%d comment.(%s) STATUS.(%s) reserved.(%s)\n",msg->version,msg->relayuntil,msg->expiration,msg->ID,msg->cancel,msg->numcancellist,msg->minver,msg->maxver,msg->subver,msg->priority,msg->comment,msg->statusbar,msg->reserved);
+    return(len);
+}
+
 /*int32_t iguana_request_data(struct iguana_info *coin,struct iguana_peer *addr,bits256 *hashes,int32_t n,uint32_t type,int32_t forceflag)
  {
  uint32_t len,i; uint8_t serialized[sizeof(struct iguana_msghdr) + (sizeof(uint32_t) + sizeof(bits256))*32 + sizeof(uint64_t)];
@@ -838,10 +881,9 @@ int32_t iguana_msgparser(struct iguana_info *coin,struct iguana_peer *addr,struc
     }
     else if ( strcmp(H->command,"alert") == 0 )
     {
-        for (i=0; i<recvlen; i++)
-            printf("%02x ",data[i]);
-        printf("alert.(%s)\n",data+1);
-        len = recvlen;
+        struct iguana_msgalert alert;
+        memset(&alert,0,sizeof(alert));
+        len = iguana_rwmsgalert(coin,0,data,&alert);
         if ( len == recvlen && addr != 0 )
             addr->msgcounts.alert++;
     }
diff --git a/iguana/main.c b/iguana/main.c
index a72134cf3..8e8aaeaf7 100755
--- a/iguana/main.c
+++ b/iguana/main.c
@@ -1154,7 +1154,7 @@ void iguana_appletests(struct supernet_info *myinfo)
     //iguana_chaingenesis("VPN",0,bits256_conv("00000ac7d764e7119da60d3c832b1d4458da9bc9ef9d5dd0d91a15f690a46d99"),genesisblock,"scrypt",1,1409839200,0x1e0fffff,64881664,bits256_conv("698a93a1cacd495a7a4fb3864ad8d06ed4421dedbc57f9aaad733ea53b1b5828")); // VPN
     
     iguana_chaingenesis("LTC",0,bits256_conv("12a765e31ffd4059bada1e25190f6e98c99d9714d334efa41a195a7e7e04bfe2"),genesisblock,"sha256",1,1317972665,0x1e0ffff0,2084524493,bits256_conv("97ddfbbae6be97fd6cdf3e7ca13232a3afff2353e29badfab7f73011edd4ced9")); // LTC
-        char *Str = "01000000f615f7ce3b4fc6b8f61e8f89aedb1d0852507650533a9e3b10b9bbcc30639f279fcaa86746e1ef52d3edb3c4ad8259920d509bd073605c9bf1d59983752a6b06b817bb4ea78e011d012d59d4";
+        //char *Str = "01000000f615f7ce3b4fc6b8f61e8f89aedb1d0852507650533a9e3b10b9bbcc30639f279fcaa86746e1ef52d3edb3c4ad8259920d509bd073605c9bf1d59983752a6b06b817bb4ea78e011d012d59d4";
         // https://litecoin.info/Scrypt  0000000110c8357966576df46f3b802ca897deb7ad18b12f1c24ecff6386ebd9
         //uint8_t buf[1000]; bits256 shash,hash2; char str[65],str2[65];
         //decode_hex(buf,(int32_t)strlen(Str)>>1,Str);