Yigit Taha OZTURK 
Bitcoin Core developers are preparing to lift the long-standing OP_RETURN data cap in the upcoming network upgrade. According to a statement by Greg Sanders, transactions containing OP_RETURN outputs larger than 80 bytes will now be relayed and mined by default.
Originally, this restriction aimed to discourage excessive use of block space for non-payment purposes. However, developers now say the limit no longer serves a purpose and that its removal will lead to a more efficient and transparent data flow.
What Is the Impact of Removing OP_RETURN?
OP_RETURN is a special transaction output that allows small pieces of data to be stored on the Bitcoin blockchain. It gained popularity during the ordinals hype in early 2024. Unlike standard outputs, OP_RETURN data is unspendable and doesn’t bloat the UTXO set.
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Users had already found ways to bypass the restriction, often using fake output addresses that were more damaging to the network. Developers argue that lifting the limit will promote network consistency, a cleaner UTXO set, and better reflect real-world Bitcoin usage.
Mixed Reactions from the Community
The change is not without controversy. Well-known Bitcoiner Samson Mow commented that users could simply stick with version 29.0 or use an alternative client. Others criticized the lack of proper consensus, suggesting the update was rushed without broader agreement.
The decision reignites a long-standing debate: Is Bitcoin solely a financial tool, or should it also function as a decentralized publishing platform?
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