Crypto
Michael Saylor rejects BIP-110, and a rival Bitcoin client appears
2026-07-19
Less than 1% of Bitcoin's network actually supports this proposed change. So no, Bitcoin isn't about to be altered. What is new is that people upset about the idea just built rival software to fight back against it — turning an online argument into two actual computer programs facing off.
This is really a fight over who gets to decide what Bitcoin is for. Saylor's argument is basically: filtering out "junk" transactions sets a worse precedent than just tolerating the junk does — once you let anyone start deciding which valid, paid-for transactions are worth blocking, that power doesn't stay narrow for long. That's something to think about, even if you don't use Bitcoin for pictures or text yourself.
What to watch: whether DOG Mode actually gets built and enough people start running it — not whether the proposal exists. Software counts. An argument on a mailing list doesn't.
- What: A proposed Bitcoin software rule change, BIP-110, would limit non-money data — like images or text — hidden inside transactions.
- Who: Michael Saylor and Blockstream's Adam Back publicly rejected it on 11 July.
- The reply: Six days later, on 17 July, someone proposed a rival piece of software called DOG Mode, built specifically to work around it.
- The catch: Fewer than 1% of Bitcoin's network currently supports BIP-110 — it isn't close to happening.