Bitcoin Core Developers Plan to Remove OP_RETURN in Upcoming Release

The Bitcoin Core development team has announced plans to eliminate OP_RETURN in the next major release. OP_RETURN, which currently allows up to 80 bytes of arbitrary data in Bitcoin transactions, has been a point of contention for years. Core contributor Greg Sanders argued that enforcing the cap on OP_RETURN leads to more opaque and potentially harmful data-embedding practices. By removing the limit, Sanders suggests that Bitcoin could see a cleaner UTXO set and more consistent node behavior. However, prominent voices such as former Core developer Luke Dashjr have warned that this change could increase network spam and undermine Bitcoin’s original focus as a financial protocol. Dashjr’s own fork, Bitcoin Knots, has gained traction among users seeking greater control over node operations, particularly in rejecting non-payment transactions like inscriptions. Debate continues as some industry figures urge node operators not to adopt the upcoming Core version and consider alternatives like Knots. While supporters see the move as promoting minimal rules and allowing the fee market to arbitrate usage, critics view it as a major, controversial shift for Bitcoin.