Bitcoin is due a major upgrade. Scheduled for release this October, Bitcoin Core v30 will remove the long-standing 80-byte limit on OP_RETURN. Basically, it’s the part of a Bitcoin transaction that allows you to embed arbitrary data directly onto the blockchain.

By enabling more data to be stored on-chain, Bitcoin will unlock a range of new capabilities, spanning scaling solutions (such as rollups and zk-proofs), smart(er) contracts, and cutting-edge dApps.

And that’s not the only boost Bitcoin is getting. Once the Layer-2 (L2) scaling solution Bitcoin Hyper goes live in late 2025, it’ll propel the network’s speed, reduce costs, and increase efficiency.

When taking this into account, it’s no wonder that the network’s native token, $HYPER, has already scooped up $18M on presale. Who knows, it might even be the next 1000x crypto.

Bitcoin Core v30 Sparks Debates Over Spam & Steep Fees

Built by a global community of developers working together and relying on miners and node operators, Bitcoin Core is the leading software that powers the Bitcoin network.

But since the v30 upgrade announcement, there has been a divide between the Bitcoin community: one side wants Bitcoin to remain a ‘money only’ network focused on transactions. Others are excited about it evolving into a more versatile base layer for broader innovation.

Not helping matters, Bitcoin Core developer, Luke Dashjir, has gone so far as to say that ‘Bitcoin is dead if people adopt Core 30.’

He argues that removing the OP_RETURN limit risks turning the blockchain into a dumping ground for spam and child sexual abuse material (CSAM).