Headline: Bitcoin schism widens as BIP-110 sparks heated debate between node operators and core figures A fresh controversy is exposing deepening divisions over Bitcoin’s purpose and governance after the introduction of BIP-110, a proposal intended to curb what its backers call “spam” data — notably images and audio stored on-chain via Ordinals. The debate has pitted longtime industry figures against a rising cohort of node operators pushing for stricter rules. What BIP-110 would do Proposed as a blunt tool to limit large arbitrary data being written to the blockchain, BIP-110 aims to block or restrict content types such as JPEGs and audio files embedded by Ordinals. Developer Dathon Ohm, a vocal supporter, argues the change is urgently needed to stop the blockchain from being repurposed as a data storage layer. Strong pushback from unexpected quarters The proposal’s opponents include Blockstream CEO Adam Back, who on 16 February blasted BIP-110 as a “lynch mob attempt” to impose major changes without broad consensus. Back warned the move risks damaging “bitcoin’s credibility as a store of value” and its “security credibility,” and accused proponents of pressing for a contentious fork despite a lack of agreement. Back further argued that Ordinals’ additions are “just an annoyance” that remain within block-size limits, noting “the op returns are 4x smaller.” He also enumerated technical and procedural objections — claiming BIP-110 could freeze UTXOs, disable features, require a 55% activation threshold, force a flag day, and that proponents have been unwilling to address these concerns. Growing support and shifting node landscape Despite Back’s criticism, the proposal is not without backing: roughly 7.5% of Bitcoin nodes — largely those running Bitcoin Knots — have signaled acceptance of stricter rules tied to BIP-110. The discussion comes amid a broader shift in software diversity on the network. Once dominated by Bitcoin Core (near 98%), Coin Dance data now shows Core running about 77.2% of nodes, with Bitcoin Knots capturing roughly 22.7% — a shift that accelerated after Bitcoin Core removed the 80-byte limit on OP_RETURN in late 2025, making it easier to embed larger pieces of data. Bigger questions: censorship, governance and decentralization BIP-110 is not just a technical fight; it reflects a larger contest over who gets to steer Bitcoin’s evolution. Last year’s leaked messages suggesting Luke Dashjr considered a hard fork to enable a small “trusted committee” to remove illegal data aggravated those tensions. Proponents of such ideas argue they would reduce legal risk; opponents counter that any committee or censoring mechanism would undermine Bitcoin’s neutrality and resistance to censorship. What’s next The controversy shows Bitcoin’s governance debates are intensifying as the ecosystem grapples with new use cases, legal pressures and the changing makeup of node software. Whether BIP-110 becomes a catalyst for a wider protocol change, or fades under community scrutiny, remains to be seen — but the dispute underscores that control of Bitcoin’s rules is an increasingly contested arena. Disclaimer: AMBCrypto's content is informational and not investment advice. Cryptocurrency trading carries high risk; readers should do their own research before making decisions. © 2026 AMBCrypto. Source: Coin Dance. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

#BTC