Home / Bitcoin / Who Is Luke Dashjr? Bitcoin Dev Waging a One-Man War Against BTC Blockchain-Based NFT Boom
Bitcoin
5 min read

Who Is Luke Dashjr? Bitcoin Dev Waging a One-Man War Against BTC Blockchain-Based NFT Boom

Last Updated June 23, 2023 12:27 PM
Teuta Franjkovic
Last Updated June 23, 2023 12:27 PM
Key Takeaways
  • Luke Dashjr, one of Bitcoin Core’s developers, has proposed to ban bitcoin NFTs and the BRC-20
  • Crypto users are torn about Bitcoin ordinals — some defend it and other are skeptical
  • Popularity of Bitcoin ordinals has led to very high transaction fees and Bitcoin network becoming stagnant

In the realm of Bitcoin development, there are plenty of passionate and outspoken players, but a Bitcoin Core developer Luke Dashjr might be the biggest one. Dashjr recently found himself at odds with the rising tide of memecoins and the emergence of BRC-20 ordinals.

In March, Dashjr wrote on his Github account he is really annoyed with the BRC-20 ordinals and memecoin hype. He stated  that immediate corrective actions are needed in order to address the Ordinals trend and that these should have been provided already.

Bashjr issued an email  urging for action, saying that it “was a mistake that the existing filters weren’t extended to Taproot transactions.”

As a formidable force within the Bitcoin community, Dashjr stands at the forefront of a brewing conflict against the ordinals and memecoin hype. While some celebrate the diversification of the Bitcoin ecosystem, he remains resolute in his pursuit of preserving Bitcoin,

What are BRC-20 Ordinals

BRC-20 Ordinals , short for Bitcoin Ordinal Inscriptions, is an interesting concept within the realm of digital currency. They refer to metadata associated with each individual satoshi on the Bitcoin blockchain, specifically represented by ordinal numbers.

Bitcoin Ordinal Inscriptions, on the other hand, take the concept of ordinals a step further. These inscriptions act as additional metadata associated with individual satoshis, providing extra information or context about the specific unit. Inscriptions can take various formats , such as text, images, or even small files, as long as they remain within the 4 MB limit.

The introduction of BRC-20 Ordinals and Bitcoin Ordinal Inscriptions opens up possibilities for enhanced data management and analysis within the Bitcoin ecosystem. It allows for a more detailed understanding of the flow of satoshis, as well as the potential for attaching meaningful information to specific units.

Why does Dashjr Dislike Ordinals?

Dashjr’s dislike for Ordinals stems from his firm belief in preserving the original principles of Bitcoin. He recently reached out  to fellow Bitcoin developers and miners via email. 

In his message, Dashjr passionately advocated for the integration of a robust “spam filtration” mechanism into Taproot transactions. 

His goal is to effectively thwart the proliferation of Ordinals and BRC-20 tokens within the Bitcoin network.

“Action should have been taken months ago,” he wrote. “Spam filtration has been a standard part of Bitcoin Core since day 1.”

Still, crypto users are divided when it comes to Bitcoin ordinals . NFT historian Leonidas says  it is time for the new Bitcoin NFT market. Adam Beck, on the other hand, says Ordinals are just another “proof of consumption”. 

Luke Dashjr has probably been the loudest of the opponents, saying: “We can address that, or try a more narrow approach like OP_RETURN (ie, what “0rdisrespector does). Since this is a bug fix, it doesn’t even need to wait for a major release.”

Will Dashjr succeed? And what is the future of Ordinals?

The success of Luke Dashjr’s efforts to block Ordinals and BRC-20 tokens within the Bitcoin network remains uncertain. While Dashjr is dedicated to preserving the original principles of Bitcoin, it is important to consider the broader ecosystem dynamics.

Bitcoin miners, who play a crucial role in validating transactions and securing the network, may be benefiting financially from the NFT craze and the broader adoption of blockchain-based tokens. As a result, they might not be inclined to support Dashjr’s proposed spam filtration measures.

The growth and evolution of Bitcoin and other protocols are inherently accompanied by changes, innovations, and even controversies. Ordinals, as a new concept within the Bitcoin ecosystem, are likely to face mixed opinions and varying degrees of acceptance. Some may embrace the diversification and added functionalities that Ordinals bring, while others may resist them, preferring Bitcoin to remain true to its original form.

As with any significant change, there will always be detractors and differing viewpoints among developers, miners, and users. This ongoing battle reflects the diverse perspectives within the Bitcoin community and the broader cryptocurrency space.

The future of Ordinals  depends on various factors, including the level of support from influential stakeholders, the response from the wider Bitcoin community, and the evolving demands and preferences of users. It remains to be seen whether Ordinals will gain wider acceptance and become a permanent part of the Bitcoin landscape or if they will face significant resistance and fade into obscurity.

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving realm of Bitcoin, the clash between traditional principles and emerging trends continues. Luke Dashjr stands at the forefront of this battle, advocating for the preservation of Bitcoin’s original purpose. As the future of Ordinals remains uncertain, the community is divided, highlighting the ongoing struggle between innovation and the desire to maintain Bitcoin’s core principles. With NFTs, memecoins, and high transaction fees in the mix, the path forward for Bitcoin’s evolution is filled with challenges and debates.