The Bitcoin network is currently experiencing a major shift in node software usage, marking a new chapter in its ongoing governance debates.
Knots adoption accelerates
Bitcoin Knots, a lesser-known alternative to Bitcoin Core, has rapidly grown to account for approximately 25% of all public Bitcoin nodes.
This marks a 47% increase in just a few days, according to data from Coin Dance and Bitref.com.
By comparison, Bitcoin Core’s node share only rose by about 1.5% in the same period.
Growing backlash to OP_RETURN changes
The surge in Knots adoption comes as Bitcoin Core developers prepare to remove the long-standing 80-byte limit on OP_RETURN data in version 30 of their software.
OP_RETURN allows users to embed arbitrary data in bitcoin transactions, a feature sometimes used for digital art or document records.
Bitcoin Knots, in contrast, enforces a stricter 42-byte limit on OP_RETURN, aiming to curtail what it considers “spam” transactions.
Developer Luke Dashjr, creator of Knots, warned:
“What do you think will happen now that Core is opening the floodgates to spam, and essentially endorsing it?”
He further emphasized community responsibility:
“Any chance we have of making Bitcoin a success will go out the window – unless the community takes a clear stand and rejects the change.”
Ideological debate intensifies
Supporters of Knots argue that stricter data limits will help keep the blockchain lean, fees low, and the focus on monetary transactions.
Core developers and advocates, however, maintain that any transaction paying the required fee should be included, regardless of its purpose.
Jameson Lopp, a Core supporter, stated:
“I truly detest politics. Thus I have little patience for those who try to impose traditional governance models onto Bitcoin. If you don’t like anarchy, you’re free to leave.”
Potential for chain split
Both Core and Knots remain compatible for now, but concerns are growing over possible chain splits if their policies diverge further after Core v30’s release.
The increase in Knots adoption highlights rising demand for alternatives to Core and underscores a broader debate about decentralization, fragmentation, and governance within the Bitcoin network.
For more information on Bitcoin’s node diversity and blockchain growth, see the list of Bitbo’s free bitcoin charts and bitcoin blockchain size in GB.
