The Bitcoin Core developers recently made a statement about how the Bitcoin network handles non-monetary data, sparking a huge debate within the community.
Developers Take a Hands-Off Approach
On June 6th, 2025, 31 Bitcoin Core developers released a statement clarifying their position on data inscriptions and other non-financial activities on the Bitcoin blockchain. Their main point? They won’t interfere. They believe Bitcoin’s strength lies in its censorship resistance, so individual users and node operators should decide what data they accept. This means the network might carry more data, but it stays free.
The Community Responds: A Divided House
This announcement caused a firestorm. Some, like Samson Mow (CEO of JAN3), criticized the developers, saying this hands-off approach essentially “opened the floodgates” for spam and increased blockchain bloat. He argued that removing technical barriers encourages unwanted data.
Others, like Jameson Lopp of Casa, applauded the clarity of the statement, saying it helps clear up past confusion about Bitcoin’s data policies.
The Recent Transaction Size Upgrade
The controversy is fueled by a May 8th, 2025, upgrade that removed a limit on transaction data size. This allows users to include larger amounts of data in transactions. While some worry about increased fees and blockchain bloat, supporters argue this neutral approach is crucial for Bitcoin’s smooth operation. They believe letting miners decide what to include is key to the network’s functionality.
What’s Next? Forks, Layers, and User Choice
The future might see a “pure money” Bitcoin fork that specifically blocks non-monetary data. Alternatively, layer-2 solutions or sidechains could handle data-heavy applications like art and messaging. Regardless, the consensus is that users will soon have a choice: wallets and node software will likely offer options for those who want a clean, finance-only Bitcoin experience and those who are okay with extra data. This puts the decision in the hands of users, not developers.
