Bitcoin Audible Roundtable_009 - If It’s Not Broken, Core Will Fix That
May 2, 2025
Join Bitcoin Mechanic, a technical Bitcoin advocate; Simple Steve, a developer contributing to community projects; and Jeff Swann, a vocal commentator on Bitcoin issues, as they dive into heated discussions around Bitcoin Core. They debate mempool policies and their implications for node sovereignty, questioning recent changes and whether they stray from Bitcoin's foundational principles. The conversation touches on the risks of centralization, the ethical treatment of transactions, and the evolving landscape of blockchain innovation, making for a lively and insightful exchange.
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Threat to Node Sovereignty
- Bitcoin Core's pull request aims to redefine nodes as unpaid volunteers storing arbitrary data, not just monetary transactions.
- This threatens node sovereignty by removing user control over what enters their mempool.
Removing Filters Harms Users
- The push to remove mempool filters simplifies spamming the network with unwanted data like images.
- This change undermines user choice, forcing them to accept whatever data Core deems acceptable.
Homogeneity vs Robustness
- Homogenizing mempool policy aims to speed block propagation but sacrifices node diversity and user configurability.
- Users losing control over mempool choices reduces network robustness and decentralization.