The Bitcoin Core development team has officially rolled out version v30 of its client software, marking one of the most debated updates in recent years. While the release includes technical improvements and bug fixes, it has ignited deep divisions within the Bitcoin community.
According to the Bitcoin Core team, all previous versions of the software are now considered “complete.” They will no longer receive any updates or maintenance patches. This means node operators and miners must upgrade to continue benefiting from the latest performance and network improvements.
The Core Change: Expanding OP_RETURN
The main point of contention lies in a major protocol adjustment — the increase in OP_RETURN data capacity from 80 bytes to 100,000 bytes.
This change dramatically expands the amount of non-financial data that can be written onto the Bitcoin blockchain. Developers can still manually set a smaller limit using the -datacarriersize function, but the default threshold has been removed.
Supporters say the upgrade will unlock new possibilities for decentralized applications on Bitcoin, enabling complex use cases similar to those on Ethereum. Critics, however, warn that the move undermines Bitcoin’s minimalist design and risks turning the blockchain into a dumping ground for unnecessary or even illegal data.
Community Divided
The debate over OP_RETURN limits dates back to April, when Bitcoin developer Peter Todd proposed removing the restriction entirely. Todd’s idea gained traction but quickly polarized opinions across the ecosystem.
Opponents argue that expanding data capacity could clog the network, increase transaction fees, and expose node operators to legal risks if illicit material is embedded in the blockchain. Others counter that such content has already been possible for years and that miners retain discretion over which transactions to include.
Following the June announcement confirming the limit’s removal, many users began exploring alternative clients.
Data from BitRef shows Bitcoin Core’s share of active nodes has fallen from 88% to about 78%, while Bitcoin Knots — known for its stricter filtering — has risen to over 21%.
Diverging Views From Experts
Proponents of the change, such as Alex Bergeron of Ark Labs, see the move as a step forward.
He stated that the increased data capacity will allow developers to “make Bitcoin more like Ethereum — only better.”
But critics remain vocal. A user under the pseudonym Ox HaK described the update as “a mistake,” warning that it could lead to fee spikes and junk data that hurt everyday users.
“Bitcoin’s strength is its minimalism — not turning the base layer into a playground for experiments,” Ox HaK wrote.
Renowned cryptographer Nick Szabo also urged caution, advising users to avoid upgrading for now and consider switching temporarily to Bitcoin Knots.
Szabo warned that removing the OP_RETURN cap could increase the volume of arbitrary data on-chain and complicate content moderation for archival nodes, possibly exposing operators to legal liabilities.