Key Takeaways
- 31 Bitcoin Core devs released a June 6 statement defending the removal of the 80-byte relay data cap.
- Critics, including developer Luke Dashjr, argue the move enables spam and threatens Bitcoin's monetary focus.
- Supporters claim the change respects censorship resistance and user autonomy.
A joint statement from 31 Bitcoin Core developers released on June 6 has ignited division within the Bitcoin community.
The controversy centers around a planned removal of the long-standing 80-byte data limit for transaction relays.
Arguments for removal
Developers argue the limit has become obsolete.
In a May 5 announcement, they noted that users have already found ways to circumvent it, rendering it ineffective.
Retiring a deterrent that no longer deters would allow market forces to balance demands on block space, they wrote.
Concerns over spam and misuse
The new policy would enable users to relay larger data segments in transactions, something critics say opens the door to spam and misuse.
Supporters, however, point to Bitcoin’s core principle of censorship resistance.
The June 6 statement reinforced that…
… Bitcoin is defined by its users.
The statement also reinforced that the Core team cannot and should not control how the blockchain is used.
Criticism from Luke Dashjr
Bitcoin core developer Luke Dashjr criticized the move, saying:
Expecting spam to be mined is defeatism. Helping spam propagate is harmful.
He and others argue that this policy shift undermines Bitcoin’s primary use as a monetary network.
Defense from Jameson Lopp
On the other side, Casa co-founder Jameson Lopp defended the developers, stating:
Core Devs are a group saying we can’t force anyone to run code they don’t like.
Ongoing tensions
The disagreement highlights ongoing tensions over how to balance Bitcoin’s flexibility with its financial integrity.
