Increased OP_RETURN limit approved by Bitcoin Core following contentious discussion!
The Bitcoin ecosystem has been abuzz with a recent development, as the controversial Bitcoin Core Pull-Request #32406 has been merged. This move aims to remove the default limit for OP_RETURN, a mechanism that allows embedding small amounts of data in Bitcoin transactions without permanently burdening the UTXO database.
The change has provided technical flexibility but remains politically contentious. Gloria Zhao, a Bitcoin Core maintainer, believes that this step strengthens the decentralized, public market for block space and counters potential centralization pressure. Zhao emphasized that restrictive policy rules like the OP_RETURN limit force users to send transactions directly to miners, which threatens the decentralization of the network.
However, the step remains controversial. Some opponents of the decision believe that removing a spam filter in the hope that spammers will switch from harmful fake pubkeys to OP-Return is wishful thinking. Others, like Bitcoiner 'Wicked,' welcomed the decision, stating that the data carrier limit removal was integrated into Core by default, and the team did not bow to the will of the uninformed, loud minority.
Many opponents of the decision expressed their displeasure loudly on social media, particularly on platform X. For many others, the entire debate was a 'nothingburger,' with Bitcoin developer Jameson Lopp stating that the change was inevitable anyway.
The limit of 80 bytes for OP_RETURN data has been a default setting of the Bitcoin Core software since 2014. The controversial decision was driven by Gregory Maxwell, a Bitcoin Core contributor and cryptographer. Arguments for the change included increased flexibility for developers and expanded use cases, while arguments against it focused on potential blockchain bloat and decreased network efficiency.
An alternative pull request removes the limit for 'datacarrier' transactions by default but allows operators to manually configure the old settings optionally. This approach maintains the flexibility for those who are wary of the potential consequences of the change.
The debate on the sensible handling of 'data in money' is certainly far from over. As the Bitcoin network continues to evolve, so too will the discussions and decisions that shape its future.
You can read more about this topic in the article 'Bitcoin Core to lift OP_RETURN limit!' written by René, a founding member of Blocktrainer and COO, who has gained extensive knowledge in all areas related to Bitcoin over the many years he has spent in the Bitcoin universe.
