Controversy Swirls Around Bitcoin's BIP-420: Push Behind Opcode 'Isn't in Good Faith,' Says Developer

On Monday evening, Taproot Wizards co-founder Udi Wertheimer unveiled a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) that reintroduces the OP_CAT opcode to Bitcoin. This opcode could facilitate more streamlined and efficient decentralized file hosting systems, payment channels, and sophisticated Bitcoin smart contracts by minimizing reliance on intricate cryptographic techniques. However, Bitcoin developer Luke Dashjr has labeled the BIP as “fake news” and contends that “the push behind OP_CAT isn’t in good faith.”

Decoding BIP-420: The Return of OP_CAT

The crypto community has been discussing a new Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) called BIP-420, first revealed by Taproot Wizards co-founder Udi Wertheimer on the social media platform X. “Today, after a long wait, the OP_CAT proposal formally received a BIP number. Meet BIP-420,” Wertheimer posted. “BIP-420 enables covenants on bitcoin, allowing for smart contracts, secure bridges, onchain trading, zk proof verification, and more. This is an important step towards making bitcoin magical again,” he added.

Essentially, OP_CAT reintroduces a foundational opcode allowing for the concatenation of two stack values in Bitcoin’s tapscript, enhancing script flexibility and functionality. Activated via a soft fork by redefining OP_SUCCESS126, OP_CAT supports advanced contract constructs such as multi-signature scripts, post-quantum secure signatures, and specialized covenants. OP_CAT was originally part of the official Bitcoin command set, allowing for string concatenation by joining two elements into one.

However, the opcode was eliminated by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2010 because of worries about potential vulnerabilities and security concerns. BIP-420 was written by Armin Sabouri and Ethan Heilman. Following Wertheimer and others circulating the BIP-420 proposal, some stated that the proposal was “unofficial.” “It’s not official,” one individual commented in Wertheimer’s thread. Bitcoin developer Luke Dashjr also dismissed the BIP as “fake news,” but he did not provide detailed reasons for considering it deceptive.

“Fake news. Goes to show the push behind OP_CAT isn’t in good faith,” Dashjr wrote, responding in several X posts.

As the debate over BIP-420 continues, the broader implications for Bitcoin’s evolution are clear. While some herald the reintroduction of OP_CAT as a technological advancement, others view it skeptically, concerned about the motives and potential security risks involved. This division underscores the ongoing tension within the Bitcoin community. It reignited following the block size wars and was exacerbated by the introduction of Ordinals. Currently, Runes and significantly high onchain fees are fueling even more heated debates. At the time being, the outcome of these debates remains uncertain.

Wertheimer Maintains BIP-420 Was ‘Not Self-Assigned’

Following the “fake news” accusations, Wertheimer addressed the community with another X post explaining the number assignment. “BIP-420 was NOT self-assigned by its authors. the BIP is authored by Ethan Heilman and Armin Sabouri, and neither of them assigned the number, therefore BIP-420 was NOT self-assigned,” Wertheimer stressed. “BIP-420 was assigned by the Bitcoin community, due to growing interest in discussing the OP_CAT upgrade.”

Wertheimer also explained the absence of the BIP from the BIP repository. He stated:

To maintain decentralization, many copies of the BIP documents exist all over the web. It might take some time for the maintainers of those copies to update them after a new BIP number is assigned. One of the popular repositories of BIP documents was previously managed by former Bitcoin contributor Luke Dashjr, however Luke has informed the Bitcoin community that he no longer has time to maintain that repository.

What do you think about the BIP-420 proposal and Dashjr’s statements that followed Wertheimer’s X post? Share your thoughts and opinions about this subject in the comments section below. #Write2Earn