Bitcoin Core v30 Update Sparks Debate as Nick Szabo Breaks Five-Year Silence
In a significant development for the cryptocurrency community, legendary cryptographer Nick Szabo has emerged from five years of public silence to comment on the ongoing Bitcoin Core v30 debate. The creator of Bit Gold, often credited as a key inspiration for Bitcoin, has returned just as the community engages in heated discussions about the proposed OP_RETURN expansion. This technical modification would dramatically increase embedded data limits from the current 80 bytes to 4MB per transaction, marking one of the most substantial changes to Bitcoin's protocol in recent years. The debate has divided the community, with purists expressing concerns about potential blockchain bloat and security vulnerabilities that could compromise Bitcoin's fundamental value proposition. Meanwhile, proponents argue that the expansion is necessary to accommodate growing demand and enable new use cases that could drive further adoption. Szabo's unexpected return to public discourse adds considerable weight to the conversation, given his historical significance in the cryptocurrency space and his deep understanding of cryptographic principles and decentralized systems. The timing of his reemergence suggests the technical debate carries profound implications for Bitcoin's future development trajectory and its ability to balance innovation with core principles of security and decentralization. As the community awaits further details about Szabo's specific position on the matter, his involvement alone signals the importance of this technical decision for Bitcoin's long-term evolution and its position as the leading cryptocurrency in the global digital asset landscape.
Blockchain Pioneer Nick Szabo Reemerges to Comment on Bitcoin Core v30 Debate
Cryptography legend Nick Szabo broke a five-year public silence to weigh in on the contentious Bitcoin Core v30 update. The Bit Gold creator's return coincides with heated discussions about OP_RETURN expansion—a change that could increase embedded data limits from 80 bytes to 4MB per transaction.
Purists warn the modification risks blockchain bloat and security vulnerabilities, while proponents argue fee markets will naturally regulate usage. Szabo's cryptic tweet—"Fees protect the miners, but they don't provide enough disincentive to protect the full"—suggests concerns about network sustainability beyond miner economics.
The debate unfolds as bitcoin Core v30.0rc2 introduces structural changes including wallet format upgrades and command system simplifications. Market participants await further technical clarifications that could influence BTC's long-term scalability roadmap.
Bitcoin ETFs See First Weekly Outflow in Over a Month Amid Profit-Taking
U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded $902.5 million in net outflows last week, snapping a four-week inflow streak. The reversal, the steepest in 30 days, was driven by Friday's $418.2 million redemptions—with Fidelity's fund absorbing $300.4 million of the withdrawals alone.
Market analysts attribute the shift to routine quarter-end rebalancing and profit-taking rather than weakening conviction. "This is standard portfolio management behavior," noted Shawn Young of MEXC Research, emphasizing that institutional adoption trends remain intact. BlackRock's ETF saw comparatively modest outflows of $37.3 million.
The pause in inflows temporarily slows Bitcoin's recovery momentum but underscores the cryptocurrency's maturation as a tradable asset class. ETF flows now routinely influence price action, reflecting growing integration with traditional finance mechanisms.
Singapore and UAE Lead Global Crypto Adoption Amid Regulatory Push
Singapore and the United Arab Emirates have emerged as the most crypto-committed nations, according to the 2025 ApeX Protocol index. Singapore scores a perfect 100, with 24.4% of its population holding digital assets and 2,000 crypto-related searches per 100,000 inhabitants. The UAE leverages progressive regulations to attract institutional players.
The U.S. dominates infrastructure with 30,000 Bitcoin ATMs but lags in retail adoption. Canada’s 225% growth rate highlights accelerating mainstream acceptance. Both nations benefit from mature crypto ecosystems.
Market dynamics reflect this geographical divergence. Exchange-traded products on platforms like Coinbase and Binance see disproportionate inflows from APAC and MENA regions. Regulatory clarity in Singapore and Dubai contrasts with the SEC’s enforcement-heavy approach in America.
Bitcoin ETFs Snap Four-Week Inflow Streak Amid Macro Uncertainty
Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the U.S. recorded $902.5 million in net outflows last week, marking the first withdrawal after four consecutive weeks of inflows totaling $3.9 billion. The reversal comes as investors weigh the impact of new TRUMP administration tariffs and fading expectations for additional Federal Reserve rate cuts this year.
Fidelity's FBTC led the outflows with $737.8 million withdrawn, followed by ARK 21Shares' ARKB and Bitwise's BITB with $123.3 million and $92.4 million respectively. BlackRock's IBIT bucked the trend with $173.8 million in inflows, while Invesco's BTCO attracted $10 million.
Despite the short-term outflow pressure, Bitcoin's technical outlook shows resilience. The cryptocurrency has confirmed a bullish reversal pattern on hourly charts, suggesting potential for near-term recovery.
'Bitcoin Mayor' Eric Adams Exits NYC Re-Election Race, Sending Ripples Through Crypto Community
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a vocal advocate for cryptocurrency adoption, abruptly ended his re-election campaign in a surprise announcement. The self-proclaimed 'Bitcoin Mayor' had championed blockchain initiatives, including Bitcoin payroll proposals and positioning NYC as a digital asset hub.
His withdrawal, citing financial constraints and denied public campaign funds, leaves the mayoral race in flux. The development raises questions about the future of crypto-friendly policies in America's financial capital, with attention shifting to remaining candidates including Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
The crypto community watches closely as Adams' departure creates uncertainty around New York's blockchain ambitions. His administration had faced bribery allegations before federal dismissal, compounding the political drama surrounding his exit just weeks before the election.
TeraWulf Plans $3B Debt Raise with Google Backing for AI and Crypto Expansion
TeraWulf, a Bitcoin mining company, is preparing to raise $3 billion in debt to expand its data center operations. Google's financial backing is expected to enhance the company's credit rating, with Morgan Stanley arranging the potential transaction. The deal could launch as early as October in high-yield bond or Leveraged loan markets.
Google's involvement includes a $1.4 billion backstop, increasing its total commitment to $3.2 billion and raising its equity stake in TeraWulf to 14%. This mirrors a similar deal with Cipher Mining, highlighting Google's strategic push into AI infrastructure by leveraging crypto miners' data center capacity and energy resources.
The MOVE follows TeraWulf's August announcement of expanded collaboration with AI cloud platform Fluidstack at its New York facility. Credit rating agencies are evaluating the debt offering, which is expected to fall within the BB to CCC range for junk-rated bonds.
