Bitcoin Core v30 Explained: Spam, Filters & the Knots Debate | Antoine Poinsot

Antoine Poinsot is a Bitcoin Core contributor and researcher at Chaincode Labs. In this episode, we dive deep into the growing divide between Bitcoin Core and Knots, why mistrust in Core development has reached new levels, and what the v30 policy changes really mean for the future of Bitcoin.

Antoine explains the history behind the OP_RETURN controversy, how “spam” and arbitrary data affect the UTXO set, and why multiple implementations like Knots may be both a strength and a serious risk to the network. We also cover Core’s security-disclosure process, how decisions are actually made inside the project, and whether Bitcoin should ossify or continue to evolve.

In this episode:
- The Core vs Knots debate
- Spam, inscriptions, and the limits of filtering policy
- UTXO bloat, miner incentives, and decentralisation risks
- Why unreviewed Knots code could become a systemic threat
- How Core handles policy vs consensus changes