A Software Update Affecting Bitcoin (BTC) Has Been Released – Here’s What’s Changed

Version 30.0 of Bitcoin Core, Bitcoin’s (BTC) most popular full node software, has been released. The new version features performance improvements, bug fixes, and policy changes.

The most prominent innovations include higher limits for signature transactions, support for multiple OP_RETURN outputs, and lower default transaction fee rates.

The new version also includes significant changes to Bitcoin Core’s wallet and graphical interface (GUI) components. The legacy wallet system has been completely removed, and the software has been migrated to the Qt 6 interface. The developers recommend that users using versions 27.x and older upgrade to the new version.

Bitcoin Core 30.0 introduced new restrictions on signature operations to prepare for potential future BIP54 updates. The number of signature operations in a single standard transaction is now capped at 2,500. This change is not expected to impact typical transactions.

Developers warn that if these low-fee defaults are not rolled out across the network, low-fee transactions may not be confirmed.

*This is not investment advice.