Epicenter - Learn about Crypto, Blockchain, Ethereum, Bitcoin and Distributed Technologies

#082 Mike Hearn: Blocksize Debate at the Breaking Point

Epicenter - Learn about Crypto, Blockchain, Ethereum, Bitcoin and Distributed Technologies

Support the show, consider donating:
BTC: 1CD83r9EzFinDNWwmRW4ssgCbhsM5bxXwg
ETH: 0x8cdb49ca5103Ce06717C4daBBFD4857183f50935

Whether the block size should be increased to 20MB has created more controversy than any other question in Bitcoin’s recent history. For some, it is an urgent and necessary step in Bitcoin’s evolution. Their view is that leaving the block size at 1MB would be irresponsible inaction with potentially catastrophic consequences. Others see increasing the block size as unnecessary and a dangerous first step down a slippery slope towards a more centralized Bitcoin.

We were joined by Mike Hearn, along with Gavin Andresen the most outspoken supporter of a block size increase. He is also the creator of Bitcoin XT, a modified fork of Bitcoin Core, that may become the vehicle for the push for bigger blocks if no agreement is reached regarding Bitcoin Core. Don’t miss this crucial conversation!

Topics covered in this episode:

  • What would happen if blocks started being consistently full
  • Whether bigger blocks create a centralization risk
  • Why Bitcoin core development has become pervaded with toxic division
  • What Bitcoin XT is and how it differs from Bitcoin Core
  • The roadmap ahead and how a transition to BitcoinXT would occur
  • Update on Lighthouse

Episode links:

This episode was hosted by Brian Fabian Crain & SΓ©bastien Couture, and is availble on YouTube, SoundCloud, and our website.

Next Episodes