Bitcoin nodes running BIP-110 crosses 2% as spam wars heat up

The Bitcoin network is currently experiencing intense congestion, fueled by rising transaction volume and high-frequency ‘spam’ attacks designed to flood the mempool, leading to a dramatic spike in transaction fees. Amidst this backdrop of escalating ‘spam wars,’ a controversial scaling measure, Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 110 (BIP-110), has achieved a notable milestone.

Data aggregated from major node tracking platforms indicates that adoption for BIP-110 has quietly surpassed the 2% mark among reachable full nodes. This metric, while still representing a minority position, signals a growing frustration among a segment of the user base and miners who are prioritizing immediate throughput relief over strict adherence to the current block size limits.

BIP-110, often framed as an emergency measure, typically proposes a dynamic adjustment to the block weight or size limit, intended to immediately mitigate the crippling effect of high fees and overflowing transaction backlogs. Proponents argue that this temporary flexibility is necessary to preserve Bitcoin’s utility as a medium of exchange during peak demand periods, a necessity brought into sharp focus by the ongoing network contention.

However, the adoption threshold is fueling existing debates within the community. Critics, including many core developers, warn that adopting non-consensus or highly niche scaling solutions fragments the network and risks setting a dangerous precedent for altering Bitcoin’s fundamental economic properties. They argue that the high fees, while painful, serve a purpose: incentivizing efficient scaling solutions like the Lightning Network, rather than simply increasing the block subsidy capacity.

The crossing of the 2% signaling threshold indicates that the economic pressure exerted by the ongoing spam wars is sufficient to push some network participants toward non-standardized solutions, heightening the urgency for the broader community to establish a unified and widely accepted long-term scaling strategy.

Source: Bitcoin nodes running BIP-110 crosses 2% as spam wars heat up