Bitcoin Core v30 May Expand OP_RETURN Use and Spark Community Split Over Node Costs and Legal Risks

• Bitcoin Core v30 raises OP_RETURN to 100,000 bytes, enabling data-rich transactions

• Optional encrypted peer-to-peer connections improve node privacy and transport security.

• BitRef reports 5,114 Knots nodes (21.48% of nodes) as operators seek stricter data limits.

Bitcoin Core v30 increases the OP_RETURN limit to 100,000 bytes and adds optional encrypted node connections — read COINOTAG’s concise update and implications for operators.

What is Bitcoin Core v30?

Bitcoin Core v30 is the latest major release of Bitcoin Core node software that introduces optional encrypted connections between nodes and raises the OP_RETURN data limit from 80 bytes to 100,000 bytes. The update also includes routine bug fixes, performance improvements and fee-related adjustments.

Publication date: 2025-10-12. Updated: 2025-10-13. Author/Organization: COINOTAG.

Bitcoin Core released version 30.0 in October 2025, marking a significant software milestone for the reference client. The release notes (Bitcoin Core release notes, October 2025) list changes across architecture, privacy and data handling.

The key changes of Bitcoin Core v30. Source: Bitcoin Core

How does the OP_RETURN increase affect the network?

The expansion of the OP_RETURN limit to 100,000 bytes enables developers to embed far larger non-financial payloads in transactions. This allows more sophisticated decentralized applications and data-layer services to use Bitcoin’s settlement layer for timestamps, proofs and state blobs. At the same time, it raises concerns about blockchain growth, higher storage and bandwidth needs for full nodes, and potential legal exposure for operators who host arbitrary content.

The decision was presented as a node-software-level policy change rather than a consensus-layer protocol hard fork. That means miners and wallets are not required to accept larger OP_RETURN outputs unless they run the updated node software. The change therefore depends on adoption patterns among relay and archival operators.

Community reactions and expert perspectives

Responses to the update are mixed. Some developers and ecosystem leads welcomed the flexibility. Ark Labs Ecosystem Lead Alex Bergeron stated via X that he plans to use the additional OP_RETURN space “to make Bitcoin more like Ethereum, except better.” CasaHODL co-founder Jameson Lopp and Pavol Rusnak (Satoshi Labs co-founder) also expressed support, citing peer-reviewed code and engineering decisions.

Community pushback against Bitcoin Core v30. Source: X

Critics argue the change deviates from Bitcoin’s original peer-to-peer electronic cash goals. Pioneer cryptographer Nick Szabo recommended that operators run alternative node software and warned about legal risks if nodes host illegal content. Founder of the Knots project, Luke Dashjr, has previously voiced concerns about node policy changes and blockchain bloat in public comments.

CasaHODL co-founder Jameson Lopps is fully behind Bitcoin Core v30. Source: Jameson Lopp

A practical response among operators has been the increased use of alternative node software such as Knots, which allows enforcing stricter OP_RETURN limits (for example, the legacy 80 bytes). Data from BitRef indicates 5,114 Knots nodes, representing 21.48% of all observed Bitcoin nodes, suggesting a meaningful faction of the network prefers stricter limits.

“As a (hopefully) temporary measure, run Knots. I strongly recommend not upgrading to Core v30,” Nick Szabo noted on X. Those comments highlight the operational split: archival, compliance and resource-constrained operators may consciously avoid the new default.

Pavol Rusnak is jumping on Bitcoin Core v30. Source: Pavol Rusnak 

What are the operational and legal implications?

Operationally, embedding larger data increases disk and bandwidth requirements for full and archival nodes. Over time, higher average transaction sizes could raise node sync times and storage costs. Legally, experts note that node operators may face jurisdictional risk if nodes store or relay content that is illegal in some countries. These concerns have been raised publicly by cryptographers and node maintainers (X posts and statements, October 2025).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Bitcoin Core v30 force all nodes to accept larger OP_RETURN data?

No. Bitcoin Core v30 changes the default policy in Core software, but acceptance of larger OP_RETURN payloads is a local policy decision. Operators can choose alternative clients (for example, Knots) or configure software to enforce smaller limits. Consensus rules remain unchanged unless miners and the wider network enact a protocol-level fork.

How should I ask about node safety and compliance?

If you run a node, consider asking: “What are the storage, bandwidth and legal implications of OP_RETURN-sized content for my jurisdiction?” Address the question by reviewing archival retention policies, backup strategies and local law. Speak with legal counsel if you plan to host large or user-generated content.

Related plain text mentions: Bitcoin Core release notes; BitRef node data; public posts on X by Alex Bergeron, Jameson Lopp, Pavol Rusnak, Nick Szabo and Luke Dashjr.

Key Takeaways

• Major policy shift: Bitcoin Core v30 raises OP_RETURN to 100,000 bytes, enabling larger embedded data but creating trade-offs for node operators.
• Privacy upgrade: Optional encrypted node-to-node connections improve transport privacy without changing consensus rules.
• Operator choices: A sizable percentage of operators use Knots or remain on older versions to limit data and mitigate legal or cost exposure; monitor BitRef and node network statistics for adoption trends.

Conclusion

Bitcoin Core v30 represents a deliberate software-policy decision that expands Bitcoin’s capacity for data-rich transactions while introducing tangible operational and legal trade-offs. The release has split the community between those pursuing new application possibilities and operators prioritizing decentralization, cost controls and compliance. COINOTAG will continue to track adoption metrics, developer responses and node statistics as the ecosystem adapts; node operators should evaluate upgrades against local requirements and resource constraints.