Bitcoin Core developers are preparing to roll out the v30 update, one of the most debated upgrades in years, and cypherpunk Nick Szabo has reemerged after five years of silence to weigh in on the controversy.
The second release candidate, Bitcoin Core v30.0rc2, was issued on Sunday for testing. The full release is expected in late October 2025, pending further review and community input.
Nick Szabo, often linked to Bitcoin’s mysterious creator Satoshi Nakamoto (though he denies it), returned to X on Sunday with strong opinions:
He added that while OP_RETURN data is prunable, making it less visible, readily viewable illegal content in a standardized format could draw stronger legal scrutiny than hidden or fragmented data.
What’s in the Bitcoin Core v30 Update?
The upcoming update makes several major changes:
- Legacy wallet infrastructure phased out for a more simplified command system.
- Policy changes around OP_RETURN, which allows embedding arbitrary data in transactions.
- Expansion of OP_RETURN limits from 80 bytes to potentially nearly 4 MB per transaction output.
This means Bitcoin could soon allow far larger amounts of non-monetary data to be permanently stored on its blockchain.
Purists vs. Maximalists: The Debate
The update has divided the Bitcoin community:
- Bitcoin purists argue the network should remain focused on financial transactions only, warning that excessive OP_RETURN use could:
- Bloat the blockchain permanently.
- Increase node storage costs.
- Open doors to spam or malware uploads.
- Bitcoin maximalists counter that as long as users pay transaction fees, they should have freedom to use block space however they wish. Market forces, they argue, will naturally limit abuse through rising costs.
This clash highlights the philosophical divide over Bitcoin’s role as “sound money” versus a broader platform for data.
- He warned that network fees alone are insufficient to deter harmful data storage, since they protect miners but not the full nodes that must keep this data.
- Szabo raised concerns over legal liability, noting that node operators might face risks if courts consider them responsible for storing illegal or harmful content.
Legal Precedents and Risks
Crypto lawyer Joe Carlasare previously pointed to court rulings that node operators are not liable if they lack control or awareness of the data. Still, Szabo believes the perception of liability could grow if OP_RETURN expansion makes harmful data more accessible.
This debate could shape not only Bitcoin’s technical future but also its legal standing in jurisdictions worldwide.
The Bitcoin Core v30 update remains in testing, with heated discussions likely to continue until its scheduled deployment in late October. Whether the community sides with purists or maximalists, one thing is clear:
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.