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Pleb trying to understand the Core vs. Knots debate
161 sats \ 5 comments \ @anon 9h bitcoin_beginners
I'm writing this as someone new to Bitcoin, who is trying to understand the current upheaval I've seen across #nostr.
What Are Bitcoin Core and Bitcoin Knots?
Bitcoin Core is the original and most widely used software for running a Bitcoin node. It’s like the “official” version, maintained by a group of developers who prioritize stability, neutrality, and broad usability.
Bitcoin Knots is a modified version of Core, maintained by developer Luke Dashjr. It includes stricter rules and extra features, often reflecting a more conservative or purist view of Bitcoin’s purpose.
Do I understand that correctly?
Discovering the Current Controversy
From what I gather, the debate centers around a technical feature called OP_RETURN. This feature would allow Bitcoin transactions to include extra data, things like text, images, or proofs. This data isn’t sats or BTC, but it would get stored on the blockchain.
Due to a new update, Core is increasing the size limit of OP_RETURN, from 83 bytes to 100,000 bytes. This then means that there would be an increase in the amount of non-bitcoin related data on the blockchain.
Bitcoin Knots’ Opposition
Those supporting Knots see this as a dangerous shift, essentially turning Bitcoin into a “dumping ground” for spam and non-monetary data.
Key concerns that I've come across fear that an increase in the OP_RETURN size would:
  • Fill up block space, making regular transactions more expensive.
  • Invite illicit content, like spam or malware, risking legal pressure on node operators.
  • Drift away from Bitcoin’s original purpose: peer-to-peer electronic cash.
Why It Matters
From my POV as a new guy on the block is that this isn't just a squabble over a technicality, it is a fight over the future of Bitcoin. That is, if I'm reading the hyperbole correctly.
-Will Bitcoin evolve into a multi-purpose ledger for art, identity, and other things?
-Or should it remain a lean, focused currency system, avoiding distractions?
Knots users have signaled resistance, while Core users embrace flexibility.
The outcome could shape Bitcoin’s scalability, legal exposure, and cultural identity.
Have I captured the essence of the debate sufficiently? Or have I misrepresented either side of this debate>
I am not yet advanced enough in my orange-pilled life to really take a side. I seek only understanding.
What would you add to my synopsis?
Information I referenced, in addition to feeds on #nostr, were gathered from the following link: https://bitcoinmagazine.com/technical/bitcoin-core-or-bitcoin-knots-what-the-op_return-debate-is-actually-about
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273 sats \ 2 replies \ @k00b 8h
The main thing to understand is that there's a difference between:
  1. our consensus rules (which transactions are allowed in blocks)
  2. your standardness rules (which un-mined transactions you relay to your peers and miners)
If you change the consensus rules of your node, you are running a fork of bitcoin (e.g. Bitcoin Cash).
If you change the standardness rules of your node, you are changing the transactions relayed to your peers and miners.
v30 changes the default standardness rules of OP_RETURN. It does not change consensus rules. It does not change which transactions are considered valid in bitcoin blocks.
In v30 you can configure your node to use the pre-v30 standardness rules if you'd like, or not, and you are still running bitcoin.
You can not upgrade to v30 and you are still running bitcoin.
You can run Bitcoin Knots and you are still running bitcoin.
You can run Bitcoin Libre and you are still running bitcoin.
You can run your bitcoin node without a mempool and without transaction relay (aka blocks-only mode) and you are still running bitcoin.
You can relax or restrict any standardness rules of your node that you want, either through configuration options or code, and you are still running bitcoin.
My advice: when you don't understand what is being debated, learn about what is being debated so that you can verify claims like "it is a fight over the future of Bitcoin" rather than trusting someone else's words.
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121 sats \ 0 replies \ @k00b 8h
Will Bitcoin evolve into a multi-purpose ledger for art, identity, and other things?
As a result of this change? In my opinion, no.
Should it remain a lean, focused currency system, avoiding distractions?
In my opinion, yes. But does this change effect whether bitcoin is lean, focused, free of distractions? In my opinion, no.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DarthCoin 8h
influencers and podcasters right now...
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100 sats \ 0 replies \ @DarthCoin 9h
pleb
When you call yourself a pleb, you immediately put yourself in the slaves category. If you consider yourself a bitcoin er, you should never call yourself a pleb.
Plebeians, or lower class “commoners”, are controlled by Roman Common Law to become the debtors. Patricians were the upper class who benefited from the credit of the people by making them both the creditors and the debtors.
Note: the origin of the name “court” is a place to trade debt and bonds; this has been going on for over 2000 years, and has not changed to this day.
Anyways... for a "pleb" (or somebody that cannot use his brain to think for himself, because is a slave with no rights) you should just ignore all the drama. Don't try to understand the drama. Is totally useless for a pleb.
here is the best explanation
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100 sats \ 0 replies \ @gregtonoski 6h
Bitcoin Knots is more powerful and better maintained Bitcoin node software, independent implementation. Bitcoin Core is getting closer to BSV and more like a spamming tool (malware) dependent on corporate business plans to exploit fools. Except "embrace flexibility", yes, your description looks accurate, I think.
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