Core

Bitcoin

<p>Bitcoin’s recent flirtation with the $45,000 mark has reignited discussions around the contentious topic of ordinal inscriptions. Luke Dashjr, a Bitcoin Core developer, has raised <a href="https://twitter.com/LukeDashjr/status/1732204937466032285?t=TNq2VPXINsDYYU3k2Bq4tA&amp;s=19" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">concerns</a> about inscriptions exploiting a vulnerability in Bitcoin Core, effectively spamming the blockchain.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="bitcoin-ordinals-cause-concerns-about-the-blockchain">Bitcoin ordinals cause concerns about the blockchain</h2>
<p>This concern is mirrored in the data, with over 260,000 unconfirmed transactions on the blockchain, resulting in escalated transaction costs and increased memory usage. Dashjr points out that Bitcoin Core has allowed users to set limits on the size of additional data in transactions since 2013, using the -datacarriersize parameter. However, inscriptions cleverly sidestep this limitation by disguising their data as program code, bypassing the set limits.</p>
<p>The issue of ordinal inscriptions gained notoriety in May when Binance temporarily halted BTC withdrawals due to overwhelming network congestion, leading to a staggering 400,000 unconfirmed transactions. This incident brought to the forefront the debate between those who criticize ordinals for their perceived negative impact on the Bitcoin blockchain and those who see them as a natural evolution of the technology.</p>
<p>While Dashjr and critics express concerns about the potential for spamming and rising transaction costs, there exists a sizable group that views ordinal inscriptions as a progressive step for the blockchain. They argue that Satoshi’s open-source approach encourages experimentation and evolution. Jason Fang, managing partner and co-founder at Sora Ventures, a firm with a significant Bitcoin focus, falls into the latter camp. Fang asserts that Bitcoin retains its original consensus while allowing for innovations to be built on top of it.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="perspectives-on-the-issue-of-blockchain-evolution">Perspectives on the issue of blockchain evolution</h2>
<p>According to him, inscriptions are unstoppable, providing miners with increased fees and higher profits. This perspective is particularly relevant given the financial challenges many miners faced during the previous crypto winter, marked by low Bitcoin prices and escalating difficulty. In the depths of the crypto winter, miners, both private and publicly listed, encountered severe financial difficulties. They faced margin calls and defaults, grappling with debts reaching up to $4 billion, often incurred for constructing large facilities in North America.</p>
<p>Fang suggests that part of the opposition to inscriptions stems from resentment among those who missed out on the attention and profits generated by ordinals and other BRC-20 investments. This ongoing debate encapsulates the dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency space. On one side, there are concerns about the potential disruption and negative consequences of ordinal inscriptions on the Bitcoin blockchain. On the other, proponents argue that such innovations are vital for the continued growth and adaptation of the blockchain.</p>
<p>As the <a href="https://www.cryptopolitan.com/japan-to-reform-tax-laws/" data-type="post" data-id="416616" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">crypto</a> community grapples with these debates, the underlying question revolves around finding a balance between preserving the integrity of the original Bitcoin consensus and fostering innovation. Whether ordinal inscriptions will be a passing trend or a lasting evolution of the blockchain remains uncertain. However, what is clear is that these discussions will shape the trajectory of major digital assets like BTC, emphasizing the need for ongoing dialogue and adaptation in this rapidly evolving space.</p>

Bitcoin ordinals cause commotions amid congestion issues

Table of Contents

Cryptopolitan_News

Other articles published on Dec 6, 2023

Palm Foundation Provides $45K Grant to NFT Artists at ZsONAMACO

Riot Platforms Inc. Achieves Record Bitcoin Mining Output in November 2023

Cisco Debuts AI to Detect Firewall Flaws, Issues Warning on Future Costs

SEC’s Cryptocurrency Enforcement Scrutinized After Ripple Case

Locally-Owned Adult-Use Craft Cannabis Cultivator Commences Operations in New Jersey

Heavy metal band Megadeth launches generative NFT collection

Join our free newsletter for daily crypto updates!