Bitcoin update: From 80 bytes to 4MB – How BTC’s brain can get core development team is proposing a major update to the OP_RETURN function, aiming to significantly increase its data storage limit in the next software release.

OP_RETURN is a feature in Bitcoin that lets users attach extra data, like text, images, or code, to transactions.

Until now, this was limited to 80 bytes, which allowed for basic uses like simple NFTs and Ordinals.

But with a Bitcoin upgrade planned for October, that limit will jump to 4 megabytes (MB).

Supporters believe this will unlock more advanced on-chain applications and transform Bitcoin from a simple payment system into a platform for richer digital expression.

This move has brought back long-standing tensions within the community.

The hands-off philosophy asserts that Bitcoin Core shouldn’t dictate use cases. Instead, the market should decide what gets stored on-chain.

Advocates see this upgrade as a way to expand Bitcoin’s role in the digital world, making it more versatile and useful beyond just payments.

As new technologies emerge that require more on-chain data capacity, this shift could help Bitcoin stay relevant and support broader digital use cases.

A community divided

The proposed OP_RETURN update has triggered a wave of dissent from Bitcoin veterans, who view the change as

Supporters view the change as a win for innovation and user autonomy, while critics warn it could bloat the blockchain and erode Bitcoin’s core mission as a lean, sound-money protocol.