В Bitcoin Core v30 введены спорные изменения, вызывающие раскол в сообществе Controversial Changes Introduced in Bitcoin Core v30 Spark Division within the Community

The Bitcoin Core team has announced the release of client version v30, eliciting mixed reactions from the community.

All prior versions of the software are now considered «finished» and will no longer receive updates.

Bitcoin Core v30 features bug fixes, changes in base fee rates, and enhancements to performance and mining interaction. However, the most significant change is the increase of the data transmission limit in the outputs of OP_RETURN from 80 to 100,000 bytes. This adjustment is expected to significantly boost the volume of non-financial transactions on the network. Users can still impose their own limits manually by setting the -datacarriersize parameter.

Debates regarding the OP_RETURN data limit intensified at the end of April. Bitcoin developer Pieter Wuille, referred to as the creator of the first cryptocurrency in an HBO documentary disregarding claims, proposed to remove the existing limits.

This initiative caused a division within the community. Detractors argue that lifting the limit encourages the network’s use for non-financial transactions, which may overload the blockchain. They also highlighted the risk of spreading illegal content, in which node operators might unwittingly become involved, facing potential legal repercussions.

Opponents emphasized that users will find alternative ways, and miners have the capability and incentives to include such operations in blocks.

In June, developers announced the removal of the limit in the Bitcoin Core v30 release. The community speculated that this decision could result in a diminished market share for the client in favor of the competing Bitcoin Knots, which allows for stricter filtering.

At that time, Bitcoin Core was used by over 88% of nodes. According to BitRef, that figure fell to approximately 78%. The share of Knots surpassed 21%.

Supporters of removing the OP_RETURN limit argue that it facilitates the deployment of more complex decentralized applications on the network. According to Alex Berjeron from Ark Labs, he intends to fully utilize the additional space to «make Bitcoin more like Ethereum, but better.»

«Bitcoin Core v30 is a mistake. Lifting the OP_RETURN restrictions paves the way for infinite amounts of unnecessary data, signatures, and fluctuating fees that burden regular users. The strength of Bitcoin lies in its minimalism: it does not turn the base layer into a playground for experiments,» wrote one critic under the pseudonym Ox HaK.

Renowned cryptographer Nick Szabo strongly recommended against upgrading to Core v30, suggesting a temporary switch to Knots. He acknowledged that while Knots has significant drawbacks, its use could serve as a limited-term alternative to Core.

In previous comments, Szabo noted that applications already have the means to store arbitrary data in the Bitcoin blockchain, but lifting the OP_RETURN limit signals an increase in such volumes. He stressed that the change does not allow archival node operators to remove illegal content without ceasing operations, which could expose them to criminal liability.

One of the staunch opponents of lifting restrictions on data publication in the network, Bitcoin developer Luke Dash Jr., suggested that a hard fork may be the only viable option to eliminate unwanted content.

It’s worth noting that discussions on potential measures to protect the Bitcoin network against potential quantum threats have revived in the Bitcoin community.