The latest Bitcoin Core v30 update boosts the OP_RETURN data limit from 80 to 100,000 bytes, sparking controversy over Bitcoin’s purpose and reigniting fears of another “blocksize war.”
Bitcoin Core v30 Rolls Out With Major Architectural Changes
The Bitcoin Core development team has officially released version 30.0, marking one of the most significant updates to the Bitcoin software in recent years. The release introduces optional encrypted connections between nodes for improved privacy and performance, along with key bug fixes and fee rate adjustments.
However, the most talked-about feature — and the one dividing the community — is the increase in the OP_RETURN data limit from 80 bytes to 100,000 bytes, allowing users to embed far larger amounts of non-financial data within Bitcoin transactions.
According to the release announcement, versions 27.x and older have now reached “End of Life”, meaning they will no longer receive maintenance or security updates.
Supporters See Innovation Potential
Proponents argue that the change could unlock new opportunities for decentralized applications on the Bitcoin network.
“I plan to use all of the additional OP_RETURN space to make Bitcoin more like Ethereum — except better,” said Alex Bergeron, Ecosystem Lead at Ark Labs.
Similarly, Pavol Rusnak, co-founder of Satoshi Labs, supported the update, noting that Bitcoin Core’s development team makes “peer-reviewed, well-engineered decisions.”
Some developers believe this expansion could reinvigorate Bitcoin’s utility beyond financial use cases, enabling on-chain data storage, NFTs, and complex dApp frameworks while maintaining Bitcoin’s security standards.
Critics Warn of ‘Blockchain Bloat’ and Legal Risks
Despite these arguments, Bitcoin purists have strongly opposed the change. Critics say the larger data limit undermines Bitcoin’s original vision as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system and may lead to blockchain bloat — where excess non-financial data increases storage costs for node operators.
Renowned cryptographer Nick Szabo cautioned users to avoid the upgrade for now, advising: “As a (hopefully) temporary measure, run Knots. I strongly recommend not upgrading to Core v30.”
Szabo also warned that node operators could face legal exposure if illegal data is embedded in the blockchain, since larger data limits expand what can be uploaded and permanently stored.
Data from BitRef shows that over 5,100 Knots nodes — roughly 21.5% of all Bitcoin nodes — are already using the alternative Bitcoin Knots client, which enforces stricter OP_RETURN size limits.
As node operators weigh their options between Core and Knots, one thing is clear — Bitcoin’s future direction is once again under fierce debate, and the outcome could shape how the world’s largest blockchain is used for years to come.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.