Samson Mow, a prominent Bitcoin figure, is sounding the alarm about Bitcoin Core developers. He believes their plans for the network could seriously damage Bitcoin’s value as a currency.
Mow’s Accusations Against Core Developers
Mow recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize Bitcoin Core developers, arguing they pose a significant risk to Bitcoin. His comments followed a post by developer Jamesob, who explained the developers’ considerable influence over the Bitcoin ecosystem. Jamesob highlighted two key reasons for this power:
- De Facto Monopoly: Most businesses rely heavily on the Bitcoin Core implementation, creating a near-monopoly for the developers. This is similar to the old saying “nobody ever got fired for buying IBM.”
- Technical Complexity: Bitcoin’s complexity means non-developers must trust someone with technical expertise. By default, that trust often falls on the Core developers, giving them immense power.
The OP_RETURN Expansion: A Point of Contention
This dispute comes amidst a debate about OP_RETURN, a feature that allows for data to be included in Bitcoin transactions. Bitcoin Core developers plan to expand OP_RETURN capabilities, arguing it’s crucial for Bitcoin’s censorship-resistance. However, Mow and other Bitcoin maximalists disagree, fearing this could lead to network spam and undermine Bitcoin’s value as “sound money.”
Mow’s Criticism of Greg Maxwell
Mow also criticized Greg Maxwell, another Bitcoin developer, for supporting the OP_RETURN expansion. Mow accused Maxwell of being either dishonest or out of touch with reality, claiming the expansion is far more significant than Maxwell lets on.
A Gradual Shift Towards Spam?
Mow further alleges that the Core developers have been subtly changing the network to accommodate spam, and are now actively removing obstacles for spammers.
Bitcoin’s Price Dips
At the time of writing, Bitcoin’s price is around $105,400, slightly down in the last 24 hours. Whether this is related to Mow’s concerns remains to be seen.
