As tensions rise over changes to Bitcoin Core’s OP_RETURN policy, JAN3 CEO Samson Mow has called for a bold new direction—forking the software entirely to realign incentives and protect Bitcoin’s core monetary purpose.
The OP_RETURN debate, which centers around allowing or restricting non-monetary data storage on the Bitcoin blockchain, has sparked intense disagreement within the community. Critics argue that loosening restrictions opens the door to blockchain “spam,” while supporters see it as preserving freedom of expression and innovation.
Mow, a long-time Bitcoin advocate, believes that the current development path of Bitcoin Core is flawed due to what he describes as “misaligned incentives.” In a recent podcast appearance, he argued that trying to push meaningful changes within the existing structure has become too difficult, and that a fork would offer a cleaner, more effective alternative.
“It’s time to fork Bitcoin Core to fix these misalignments and create a better funding structure for developers,” Mow said. He envisions a fork built on the current version of Bitcoin Core but backed by a new governance model and sustainable grants system to support ongoing development.
He emphasized that developers contributing to the new project should remain anonymous to avoid ego-driven agendas, focusing instead on Bitcoin’s long-term vision as sound money. “If there is economic power behind Bitcoin as money, then this is how to prove it,” he said.
This isn’t Mow’s first critique of Bitcoin Core’s direction. He has previously suggested taking a firm stance against developers he believes are acting “in bad faith,” even calling for their exclusion from conferences and funding opportunities.
The controversy stems from recent decisions to merge changes into Bitcoin Core that weaken OP_RETURN guardrails—restrictions that previously limited the inclusion of non-financial data on-chain. Many in the community see this as a threat to Bitcoin’s efficiency and purpose.
In response to the ongoing discord, interest in alternative full-node implementations is growing. Bitcoin Knots, a long-standing alternative to Core, has seen a surge in adoption, with 1,868 of the 21,767 public Bitcoin nodes now running the software.
As debate continues, Mow’s proposal to fork Bitcoin Core could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Bitcoin’s evolution—one focused on refocusing the network on its monetary roots and realigning development incentives for the future.
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