Bitcoin’s Op_return debate is heated, since Bitcoin Core developers, the most popular node software, said they plan to completely discard OP_RETURN in the next release.
The op_return limit is a limit of 80 bytes in the amount of arbitrary data that can be integrated into a bitcoin transaction using a special and indisputable output field.
“Large data inscriptions are occurring independently and can be done more or less abusive,” said Core collaborator and engineer at Blockstream Greg Sanders, known as ‘Instagibbs’, in a publication on Github announces the elimination. “The limit simply channels them to more opaque forms that cause damage to the network.”
The debate focused on raising the limit of 80 bytes op_return promotes transparency and simplifies the use of data in Bitcoin, or if it opens the door to abuse, spam and a change in the Bitcoin financial approach.
In Github, Sanders added that enforcing the lid has created perverse incentives that promote users to embed data in false public keys or spending scripts. Eliminating the limit, he argues, “produces at least two tangible benefits: a cleaner utxo set and more consistent predetermined behavior.”
Not everyone is convinced. The central developer Luke Dashjr has long seen registration and other data storage such as spam, and warned in April 2025 that this change was “total madness.”
Amid the controversy, Bitcoin Knots, also maintained by Dashjr, has seen a growing adoption, reaching approximately 5% of the participation of all nodes.
Bitcoin Knots, a more customizable fork of Bitcoin Core, attracts users who seek greater control over what their nodes are transmitted or stored, including users who reject transactions without payment such as registration.
Some prominent opinion leaders in the industry, such as Samson Mow, encourage nodes operators not to update their version of Bitcoin Core, or use knots.
Bitcoin Core has announced that they will eliminate the op_return limit in its next version. Many users find that this is an undesirable change for several reasons. Can refuse to update and remain at 29.0 or execute another implementation such as @Bitcoinknots. https://t.co/wcutoa5hqf
– Samson Mow (@Excellion) May 5, 2025
Sanders defended the elimination of the lid aligned with the spirit of Bitcoin: minimal and transparent rules.
“When withdrawing a deterrent element that no longer dissuits,” he wrote, “Bitcoin Core lets the rates market arbitrate competitive demands.”
But that is not bringing much consensus.
“This marks a fundamental change in the Bitcoin direction,” warned a commentator about Github.
“This is the biggest mistake that the nucleus can commit at this juncture,” added another in Github. “I want to be in the registration saying that.”
Correct: (May 6, 08:14 UTC): Eliminates the “former” developer of the seventh paragraph.
