tl;dr
Bitcoin Core 30.0 introduces critical security, scalability, and usability upgrades, sparking debates over its controversial OP_RETURN limit expansion and legacy support changes.
**A Major Step Forward for Bitcoin’s Security and Performance**
The Bitcoin Core team, the developers behind Bitcoin’s reference client, has unveiled version 30.0, a groundbreaking update aimed at strengthening the network’s security, scalability, and user experience. This release marks a pivotal moment in Bitcoin’s evolution, reflecting years of collaborative effort, community feedback, and technical innovation. As the backbone of the Bitcoin ecosystem, Bitcoin Core remains an open-source project dedicated to maintaining the stability and decentralization of the network, with thousands of users contributing insights and a dedicated team of maintainers ensuring reliability.
### Key Improvements in Bitcoin Core 30.0
Version 30.0 introduces a suite of critical updates designed to modernize Bitcoin’s infrastructure:
- **Security and Efficiency Enhancements**: The update limits obsolete signature operations to 2,500 per standard transaction, reduces the risk of denial-of-service (DoS) attacks by redesigning the orphan transaction buffer, and adds support for mining interfaces like Stratum v2.
- **User Experience Upgrades**: A new command-line feature allows users to launch external executables, while external signature support for Windows and migration to Qt 6 (enabling dark mode on Windows and Metal backend support on macOS) improves usability.
- **Data Capacity Expansion**: The default `-datacarriersize` parameter now allows 100,000 bytes per transaction, and multiple OP_RETURN outputs are supported, enabling more non-financial data to be embedded in transactions.
- **Legacy Support and Modernization**: Legacy BDB wallets can no longer be created but can be migrated using the `migratewallet` tool. Branches 27.x and earlier have reached End of Life (EOL), signaling a shift toward newer, more efficient protocols.
### The Most Controversial Change: OP_RETURN Limit Raised
Among the updates, the expansion of the OP_RETURN limit from 80 bytes to 100,000 bytes has sparked intense debate. This change, which allows for larger non-financial data payloads in transactions, is seen as a boon for innovation by some and a potential risk by others.
**Supporters**, including early developer Peter Todd, argue that the update simplifies existing mechanisms and fosters experimentation, particularly for standards like Runes. “This limit increase invites developers to push more non-financial data,” Todd said, emphasizing that the network already accommodates such data and that the change streamlines processes.
**Critics**, however, including cryptography pioneer Nick Szabo, warn of potential blockchain bloat and legal risks. Szabo expressed concerns about the lack of tools to remove illegal or non-essential content, stating, “Without proper tools to remove illegal content, node operators may face risks.” He suggested Bitcoin Knots, an alternative client, as a temporary safeguard.
### What This Means for Bitcoin’s Future
Bitcoin Core 30.0 represents a significant leap forward, blending user-centric improvements with foundational protocol upgrades. The release underscores Bitcoin’s adaptability, setting the stage for future innovation while reigniting long-standing discussions about the network’s purpose. As the community navigates the balance between flexibility and security, this update highlights the dynamic nature of Bitcoin’s development.
For users and developers alike, version 30.0 is not just a technical milestone but a testament to the resilience and collaborative spirit of the Bitcoin ecosystem. As the network continues to evolve, the debates surrounding its direction will remain a vital part of its journey toward a decentralized, secure, and scalable future.