The Bitcoin community is divided following a joint statement from 31 Bitcoin core developers addressing transaction relay policy amidst ongoing debates over OP_Return usage. The statement suggests a hands-off approach, acknowledging that Bitcoin may be used for non-financial purposes, which has ignited criticism as well as support among Bitcoiners. Critics, including JAN3 CEO Samson Mow, argue that the developers' approach seems to enable spam usage, while others like Casa founder Jameson Lopp defended the necessity of the statement. The developers emphasize that users should not be mandated to run specific code, positioning that the potential use of the network should not be coerced. Moreover, they assert that changes like the removal of data limits align with the network's core principle of decentralization, allowing varied usages of Bitcoin. However, some core developers, including Luke Dashjr, challenge the underlying goals of the transaction relay policy as potentially harmful to the Bitcoin system, opposing the idea that spam should be encouraged. The letter reflects the philosophical divide within the community regarding Bitcoin's intended use and governance.

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