According to @BitMEXResearch, a small group of node runners relaxed Bitcoin relay policies while Bitcoin Core later aligned with the observed network conditions, rather than originating those changes itself (source: @BitMEXResearch). The same dynamic enabled full RBF on the network, allowed sub-1 satoshi per vbyte transactions to be relayed, and led to large OP_RETURN data being propagated (source: @BitMEXResearch). @BitMEXResearch emphasizes this as a property of Bitcoin that demonstrates the practical power of individual node runners to influence relay policy, which directly determines what transactions get relayed and at what minimum fee levels (source: @BitMEXResearch).

According to @BitMEXResearch, Bitcoin Core’s attempts to curb full-RBF via policy filters failed and were reversed by the network, indicating client defaults could not override miner and node preferences (source: BitMEX Research on X). According to @BitMEXResearch, efforts to impose a minimum relay fee filter also failed and were subsequently dropped in favor of network behavior, highlighting that fee propagation is dictated by market participants rather than Core settings (source: BitMEX Research on X). According to @BitMEXResearch, attempts to block large OP_RETURN data similarly failed and were rolled back, reinforcing that Bitcoin’s transaction policies are ultimately set by the network’s will, not centralized governance (source: BitMEX Research on X). According to @BitMEXResearch, traders should frame execution risk around mempool-driven dynamics—RBF usage, relay fee preferences, and miner policy signaling—since fee volatility and confirmations follow network incentives, not Core filters (source: BitMEX Research on X).