A new technical proposal on Bitcoin is causing the developer community to engage in the most intense debate since Ordinals. The issue lies in removing the OP_RETURN limit, allowing for much larger non-financial data (such as text, images) to be stored directly on the Bitcoin blockchain. This proposal could expand the network's application capabilities but is also seen as a threat to the core 'digital currency' essence of Bitcoin.



🔧 Proposed change: Remove the OP_RETURN limit – expand data storage capabilities


Currently, Bitcoin only allows data to be written to a very small part of each transaction: a maximum of 83 bytes, of which 80 bytes are data, and the rest is control code (opcode). This is governed by OP_RETURN, a part of Bitcoin's scripting language.


However, Peter Todd, a prominent developer (who once dismissed rumors of being Satoshi Nakamoto), has proposed removing this limit. According to him, the current limits:



  • Inefficient, as users have found loopholes to write more data using technical methods.


  • Being 'arbitrary' and 'harmful', as it forces non-financial data to be stored in non-transparent ways.




If the OP_RETURN limit is removed, users will be able to store more data (up to 100 kilobytes per transaction, according to the current transaction size limit of Bitcoin).



⚖️ Two streams of opinion: Expanding applications or diluting Bitcoin's essence?


Supporters argue that this proposal reflects real demand: the demand for storing non-financial data exists and will continue regardless of the limit. Legalizing and expanding OP_RETURN will help:



  • Recording information transparently, directly on the blockchain.



  • Facilitating many creative applications, such as recording text, NFTs, contract metadata, or even decentralized social platforms on Bitcoin.




Opponents argue that this change compromises Bitcoin's core values:



  • Jason Hughes, a veteran developer of #BitcoinCore , strongly criticized:



    "This is not just a small technical change – it is changing the very nature of the entire Bitcoin network."

    He worries that Bitcoin will turn into aworthless altcoin, dominated by non-financial junk data.




  • Opponents are also concerned that:



    • Storing more non-financial data will compete for resources with financial transactions, leading to higher transaction fees.



    • Diluting the main function of Bitcoin: a decentralized payment system.







🔥 Tensions escalate within the development community


Internal tensions rose further when a new pull request (request to integrate changes into the code) was submitted on Tuesday evening. Jason Hughes believes the development team has been pressured by the community to change.


However, Pieter Wuille, one of the most reputable Bitcoin developers, has chosen to take a middle ground:



"I don’t like to see demand for this type of transaction. But if not served, users will continue to circumvent the system, and that’s even worse."




🔮 Where is Bitcoin headed? Expansion or the risk of losing its essence?


This proposal does not occur in a vacuum. In fact, since protocols like Ordinals and BRC-20 emerged, Bitcoin has witnessed a new wave of non-financial data being recorded on the blockchain – causing congestion and a spike in transaction fees.


Many see this as an inevitable trend: turning Bitcoin into a programmable platform, rather than just a means of storing and transferring value. This also opens up competitive opportunities with other networks like $ETH , but simultaneously raises concerns that Bitcoin will lose its original simplicity and sustainability – the very qualities that built its reputation.



💡 Impact on crypto users and the Binance community


For crypto users – especially on platforms like Binance – this debate has two major consequences:



  1. Impact on transaction fees: If the amount of non-financial data increases significantly, simple transactions like sending $BTC may have to pay higher fees, directly affecting user experience and costs.



  2. Changes to the Bitcoin ecosystem: If the proposal is approved and implemented, Bitcoin could become a new environment for decentralized applications, similar to what Ethereum has done. This could open new investment opportunities in tokens or projects linked to the expanding BTC ecosystem, such as Ordinals or Runes.




Binance may consider expanding support for applications or assets linked to non-financial data on BTC, if this trend truly takes off.



⚠️ Risk warning


The cryptocurrency market always carries high risks and is not suitable for all investors. Technical changes like the proposal to remove OP_RETURN can significantly impact the network, transaction fees, and long-term investment strategies. Users should closely monitor updates and carefully assess before making decisions.



#anhbacong