Extremely small or extremely large block sizes may cause similar centralization problems.
Key Takeaways
Bitcoin’s ideal block size is still being discussed by critics.
Small or large block sizes could cause centralization.
There are no expected changes to block sizes in the near future.
Share this article
Two cryptocurrency critics have weighed in on Bitcoin’s ongoing block size debate, arguing that a middle ground is best. Anywhere outside this middle ground and Bitcoin risks undue centralization.
Hasu’s Flowchart
Hasu, a cryptocurrency researcher at Uncommon Core, summarized the debate with a simple flowchart:
The blocksize debate in a nutshell: pic.twitter.com/aEh7BuCaGD
— Hasu (@hasufl) May 20, 2020
On one hand, if block sizes are too small, users may need to pay higher fees for their transactions to be included in a block—or they may need to wait longer for their transactions to be confirmed.
On the other hand, if block sizes are too large, that could cause troubles for miners, who would need to provide more disk space and more network bandwidth in order to power the network.
In either case, unwieldy sizes could cause users to turn to third parties such as Coinbase or BitPay to handle their transactions—giving a few large companies centralized control over Bitcoin.
“The Bitcoin Bathtub”
Zooko Wilcox, the CEO of Zcash, noted that this flowchart is similar to another diagram proposed circa 2015 by Tadge Dryja, a lead researcher at MIT’s Digital Currency Initiative:
Under this view, extremely small blocks would require Bitcoin to carry out very few transactions. For example, 1 KB blocks might only allow 100 transactions per day. That would, in turn, require just a few large companies to handle transactions on behalf of users.
With large block sizes, only a few large institutions would have sufficient computer resources to verify transactions. Once again, those institutions would control Bitcoin.
Dryja originally noted that these numbers are not practical suggestions—just an illustration of the most extreme possibilities.
The Block Size Debate
This debate has been central to Bitcoin for years.
At least two Bitcoin forks have been born out of the matter. Bitcoin Cash, which split in August 2017, currently has a maximum block size of 32 MB. Bitcoin SV, which split from Bitcoin Cash in 2018, currently has a maximum block size of 2 GB.
Earlier (and now defunct) Bitcoin forks such as Bitcoin XT and Bitcoin Classic also attempted to confront the issue.
Although the debate has been important historically, there are no high-profile changes underway at the moment.
Bitcoin itself has settled on a maximum block size of 1 MB, extended by Segwit, which increases capacity in a more restricted way.
Share this article
The information on or accessed through this website is obtained from independent sources we believe to be accurate and reliable, but Decentral Media, Inc. makes no representation or warranty as to the timeliness, completeness, or accuracy of any information on or accessed through this website. Decentral Media, Inc. is not an investment advisor. We do not give personalized investment advice or other financial advice. The information on this website is subject to change without notice. Some or all of the information on this website may become outdated, or it may be or become incomplete or inaccurate. We may, but are not obligated to, update any outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate information.
You should never make an investment decision on an ICO, IEO, or other investment based on the information on this website, and you should never interpret or otherwise rely on any of the information on this website as investment advice. We strongly recommend that you consult a licensed investment advisor or other qualified financial professional if you are seeking investment advice on an ICO, IEO, or other investment. We do not accept compensation in any form for analyzing or reporting on any ICO, IEO, cryptocurrency, currency, tokenized sales, securities, or commodities.
See full terms and conditions.
I have over 10 years of experience writing about cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. I have been published in major publications such as CoinDesk, Bitcoin Magazine, and Blockonomi. I am a regular speaker at crypto events and conferences.I am passionate about helping people understand this complex and rapidly-growing industry. My goal is to make complex concepts easy to understand for the average reader. I believe that blockchain technology will change the world as we know it, and I want to help people navigate this exciting new landscape.
Comments are closed.