Is Bitcoin Core actually Fork? #BTC Dev Makes Bold Claim

Bitcoin Core "Death" Announcement: What's Really Happening Inside BTC Development

Have you been following the drama unfolding in the Bitcoin development community? In my latest video, I dive into what might be one of the most significant internal conflicts in Bitcoin's recent history.

I was shocked when I saw Bitcoin Core developer Luke Dash Jr. tweet that "Bitcoin Core is dead." This wasn't just some random crypto influencer making bold claims for attention this is coming from inside the house, from one of the most recognized developers in the Bitcoin ecosystem.

The controversy centers around Bitcoin Core version 30, scheduled for release in October 2025. This update introduces changes to mempool policies and OP_RETURN limits that would allow more arbitrary data on the blockchain. Critics like Luke argue this will bloat the chain and potentially invite regulatory scrutiny, similar to what happened with Bitcoin SV.

Speaking of Bitcoin SV, I was fascinated to discover a single wallet holding approximately two million BSV coins over 11% of the entire network! Could this possibly be Satoshi? The timing of this discovery alongside the Core controversy raises some interesting questions.

What I found particularly interesting was Luke's repeated claims that Bitcoin Core itself is actually a fork of Satoshi's original Bitcoin. This challenges the narrative many Bitcoin maximalists have embraced for years and adds another layer to the already complex debate about what constitutes "real Bitcoin."

I also questioned the common advice to "run your own node" by looking at the original Bitcoin whitepaper's definition of nodes. According to Satoshi's document, nodes must actually create blocks if you're not creating blocks, you're not really a node in the original sense.

This internal conflict appears to have been brewing for some time, with figures like Bruce Louu (formerly Shiae Louu) at sCrypt pushing for additional OP codes on Bitcoin Core. The philosophical divide seems to be about Bitcoin's fundamental identity: is it primarily a money network, or should it be a more versatile data platform?

What we're witnessing might be a pivotal moment in Bitcoin's evolution, with potential implications for its governance, technical direction, and regulatory standing. The passionate disagreements among core developers reflect just how much is at stake.

Check out the full video here to get all the details and form your own opinion on this unfolding situation.