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Bitcoin Core Plan to Lift Data Limit Rekindles Debate Over Network’s Purpose

Bitcoin Core announced on May 5, 2025, that its next release will remove the 80-byte limit on OP_RETURN transaction outputs.
This decision follows widespread use of large data inscriptions that bypassed the old limit by embedding data in spendable outputs, creating network inefficiencies.
The removal is intended to streamline the UTXO database, standardize network behavior, and better reflect current patterns of Bitcoin usage, though it has drawn criticism for potentially enabling spam transactions.
Greg Sanders stated the original 80-byte cap was a gentle signal that lost its usefulness, and the new version will relay and mine larger OP_RETURN outputs by default.
The change sparked debate with some operators urged to avoid upgrading or switch to forks like Bitcoin Knots, indicating community division and uncertain implications for Bitcoin’s core purpose.

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Coin Desk

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Bitcoin Core Plan to Lift Data Limit Rekindles Debate Over Network’s Purpose

Bitcoin Core’s decision to lift its long-standing 80-byte OP_RETURN limit has reignited tensions within the network’s developer and node-running communities.

2 days ago·Manila, Philippines

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investincryptonews.com

Bitcoin Core’s OP_RETURN limit removal divides crypto community - Invest In Crypto News

Helping you make informed financial decisions with the latest news and insights from the world of investing and cryptocurrency. Unlock the power of crypto.

14 hours ago

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Blockworks

Bitcoin Core devs want Bitcoin governed by 'transparent, minimal rules'

Debate over extra Bitcoin use cases has returned, two years on from Ordinals, a protocol that let 4MB media be written to Bitcoin.

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The BTC Times

Bitcoin Core OP_RETURN Debate Pits Flexibility Against Integrity

A heated dispute has emerged within the Bitcoin developer and user community over a proposal to remove or loosen limits on OP_RETURN, a feature that allows embedding arbitrary data in Bitcoin transactions. Bitcoin Core is not a democracy governed by votes. It’s supposed to be based on rough consensus. Anyone can see that there is no consensus on relaxing OP_RETURN limits. Pushing ahead on this change is going down a slippery slope. https://t.co/…

2 days ago

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CryptoPotato

Bitcoin Core to Remove OP_RETURN Limit in Next Upgrade

Bitcoin Core developers have confirmed that the next software release will lift the long-standing 80-byte restriction on OP_RETURN transaction outputs. The decision was met with concern in the crypto space as users expressed dissatisfaction with the move. OP_RETURN Has Outlived Its Purpose The information was relayed in a May 5 GitHub announcement by Bitcoin developer Gregory Sanders, which read: “Bitcoin Core’s next release will, by default, re…

2 days ago

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