Spam Wars: Bitcoin Core Devs At Center Of Heated Debate

According to a joint statement released on June 6, 2025, 31 Bitcoin Core developers have taken a clear stance on how the network should handle non-monetary uses. They stressed that their role is not to support or block data inscriptions and other non-financial activities.

The move has stirred strong feelings across the community, with debates touching on freedom, fees, and the very purpose of Bitcoin.

Developer Stance On Data Policies

Based on reports, the Core team said they won’t step in to stop “harmless” data from entering the blockchain. They pointed out that Bitcoin’s main strength is its resistance to censorship. So, any user-driven software choices must stand.

A statement on Bitcoin Core development and transaction relay policy – https://t.co/K4AaPPqTSD

— Bitcoin Core Project (@bitcoincoreorg) June 7, 2025

They made it plain: it’s up to node operators to pick what they accept. This approach aims to keep the network free, even if that means it carries extra data.

Community Voices Split

Following the statement, reactions poured in. Samson Mow, CEO of JAN3, called the developers’ tone hollow and said recent changes have “opened the floodgates” for spam. He argued that removing technical barriers encourages unwanted data.

Bitcoin Core devs have been changing the network gradually to enable spam and now seem focused on also removing barriers for spammers. It’s disingenuous to just say “it is what it is now, too bad.”

This statement itself is also inappropriate. Feels like an NYA from Core devs. https://t.co/ACIqyvK12f

— Samson Mow (@Excellion) June 7, 2025

On the flip side, Jameson Lopp of Casa praised the clear explanation of relay rules. Lopp pointed out that a unified voice from developers helps to cut down on past confusion over policy.

On May 8, 2025, Core developers removed a long-standing limit on transaction data size. That tweak lets anyone include bigger chunks of information in transactions. Critics worry this will drive up blockchain bloat and push fees higher.

Supporters say predicting what miners will include—and passing that info along—is key to keeping Bitcoin running smoothly. They claim this neutral relay policy helps miners and users alike, even if not everyone buys into it.

Looking ahead, some think a new fork could split off a “pure money” chain that blocks data inscriptions. Others foresee layer-2 networks or sidechains taking on the heavy lifting for art, messaging, and other uses.

Either way, most agree that wallets and node software will soon offer options: one for clean, finance-only transactions, and another for those who don’t mind extra data. This choice will let users vote with their settings instead of relying on developers to make the call.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView