The BIP-110 improvement proposal seeks to restore Bitcoin's identity as a pure monetary tool, moving the protocol away from secondary functions that some consider a burden on the network.
BIP-110, which has also circulated under the name BIP-444, proposes temporarily restricting the volume of non-financial data within the blockchain protocol to ensure that Bitcoin's infrastructure remains accessible and decentralized for all users.
This proposed Bitcoin improvement stems from the sustained increase in data load generated by sign-ups and the use of arbitrary information, a trend that intensified after the implementation of Taproot. These processes have sparked debate within the Bitcoin community about the balance between freedom of use and operational efficiency on the network.
However, proponents of BIP-110 maintain that it is not a permanent restriction, but rather a temporary and experimental measure that would allow observation of the ecosystem's behavior under more controlled conditions. The proposed trial period would be one year, enough time to evaluate the impact of the new limits and their possible permanent incorporation into the protocol.
Trade Bitcoin here: easy and secureThe battle for block space in Bitcoin
The main driver behind this improvement proposal, which was created by Dathon OhmHe is the developer of Bitcoin Core and maintainer of Bitcoin Knots, Luke dashjrHis vision is that Bitcoin should stand out as the best money in the world, not a file storage server.
In recent weeks, BIP-110 has gained visibility among node operators and members of the technical community, reaching support equivalent to 3% of the measurable network. Most of this support comes from users working with Bitcoin Knots, a version of the software characterized by stricter policies regarding non-essential traffic and transaction filtering.
Technically, the improvements outlined in BIP-110 aim to introduce more precise limits on the size and structure of transactions. Among the key adjustments, it is proposed that outputs not exceed 34 bytes, while the OP_RETURN field, used to include small fragments of data, would be capped at 83 bytes. The proposal also establishes a maximum size of 256 bytes for transaction witness elements.
This set of rules included in BIP-110 would reduce the possibility of inserting images or other types of large files directly into the Bitcoin blockchain, a phenomenon that in recent years has increased the demand for network space and processing power.
With these restrictions, the goal is to reduce the technical burden on nodes and maintain access to network validation without relying on high-performance equipment. Essentially, the proposal seeks to preserve Bitcoin's decentralized nature and protect the operation of nodes managed by individual users, preventing the system from evolving into a validation infrastructure dominated solely by large operators.
Create your account and access BitcoinEfficiency or neutrality: two visions that divide the Bitcoin community
The Bitcoin community is divided between those who prioritize the efficiency of the protocol and those who defend the total neutrality of the network.
Proponents of BIP-110 argue that the unchecked growth in the size of the blockchain increases the cost of maintaining nodes, which in the long run could centralize control in the hands of a few with sufficient resources. Statements from proponents such as Matthew Kratter They suggest that the excess of data acts as a parasitic burden that consumes Bitcoin's internal structure, increasing fees for legitimate payment transactions and hindering its use as a global currency.
On the other hand, critics see this proposal as an attempt at technical censorship. Representatives of large mining groups, such as F2Pool, have publicly expressed their rejection of the proposed improvement, considering it a step backward that limits users' freedom to use the space they pay for.
The central argument against BIP-110 is that if a user is willing to pay the market rate, they have the right to include whatever data they want. Furthermore, critics also warn of potential side effects on ecosystem development. Restricting certain types of data could stifle innovation in additional layers and features that rely on more complex structures, such as Taproot-based applications or advanced smart contracts.
This current debate reflects a constant in Bitcoin's history: the tension between maintaining its decentralization and ensuring that the network remains operational, economical, and sustainable in the long term.
Visit Bit2Me: Buy Bitcoin todayThe key date for the BIP-110
While the community debates the pros and cons of this proposed improvement, its potential activation is progressing along an unconventional path in Bitcoin, through a user-driven soft fork, or UASFThis means that, instead of requiring the support of 95% of the miners' hash power, as in regular upgrades, this initiative puts control in the hands of the nodes running the network.
The BIP-110 signaling process began in December 2025, and the key moment to decide on its activation is approaching. a 2026 late.
If the nodes reach the necessary consensus, the network will apply stricter rules for exactly 52.416 blocks. After that period, everything will automatically revert to its previous state, allowing for an evaluation of the effects of this temporary test. The main objective is to lower transaction fees by limiting block sizes, thus encouraging more efficient use of the blockchain.
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