Chun Wang, co-founder of the prominent Bitcoin mining pool F2Pool, has publicly denounced the proposed BIP-444 soft fork. He labeled this initiative, intended to mitigate data spam on the Bitcoin network, as “a bad idea” that he and F2Pool will not endorse.

Wang expressed his views on X, stating, “BIP-444 is a bad idea,” and confirmed that they will not support any soft fork actions, whether temporary or permanent. He mentioned feeling disheartened that certain developers are heading in a misguided direction.

The BIP-444 proposal seeks to limit arbitrary data inclusion on the Bitcoin blockchain, aiming to control non-transactional data to a maximum of 83 bytes. Supporters view this as a necessary measure against data spam.

In September, Bitcoin Core, the leading software for Bitcoin nodes, lifted the previous 80-byte restriction on OP_RETURN transactions. Some critics perceive this adjustment as corporate interference with the Bitcoin blockchain, fearing it could lead to centralization and heightened resource demands for node operators.

BIP-444 represents a reaction to this update and would impose limits on various forms of data embedding within Bitcoin transactions. While its proponents argue it will enhance network efficiency, others, including seasoned Bitcoin developer Peter Todd, contend that such measures may not achieve practical outcomes, citing examples of compliance under altered circumstances.

This development ignites ongoing debates surrounding the foundational principles of Bitcoin as a monetary system versus a data storage network.