This fireside chat from OP_NEXT features Ryan Gentry (Lightning Labs), Jameson Lopp (Casa), and Jay Beddict (Foundry) discussing Bitcoin’s current technical challenges with host Charlie Spears (Blockspace). The conversation spans the difficulties of implementing soft forks, the economics of self-custody solutions, the role of miners in protocol decisions, and Bitcoin’s gradual ossification. Speakers highlight concerns about government interests in Bitcoin and the challenges faced by developers pushing for Bitcoin protocol improvements in an increasingly risk-averse environment.
This presentation was recorded live at 2025’s OPNEXT, the Bitcoin scaling conference. For more info, visit opnext.dev. OPNEXT livestream and VODs are made possible by Taproot Wizards.
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# Notes:
– majority of attendees support CTV activation in 2025
– ETFs and large players could influence protocol changes
– Lightning wallet self-custody faces economic challenges
– Miners focus on operations more than protocol updates
– Devs fear legal risks when proposing protocol changes
– Most protocol improvement proposals get rejected
