Bitcoin Core Now a Risk to Bitcoin’s Future

A fresh wave of criticism has emerged within the Bitcoin community after Samson Mow, CEO of JAN3 and former Blockstream CSO, stated that Bitcoin Core — the most widely used implementation of Bitcoin node software — has become “a risk to Bitcoin.”

Mow‘s warning came in response to a detailed thread by BTC developer James O’Beirne, who argued that while Bitcoin users technically have the freedom to switch software, the reality is far more complex and constrained than it seems.

The Illusion of Sovereignty？

This debate started when Jameson Lopp, a prominent Bitcoin advocate, asserted that “sovereignty is a mindset” and that users should not feel beholden to Bitcoin Core or its contributors.

O‘Beirne pushed back hard, saying the idea that users can “just fork away” or launch alternatives is naive. According to him, Bitcoin Core has “tremendous sticky power” — not because it’s the only option, but because its deeply embedded in the infrastructure of exchanges, businesses, and node operators.

Switching away, he explained, comes with high operational risks, technical challenges, and social friction, making Cores influence disproportionately large even in a decentralized ecosystem.

Mow Doubles Down: Cores Influence Is a Centralization Risk

Samson Mow elevated the concern by reposting OBeirnes thread with a stark conclusion:

His statement reflects broader anxiety that too much power and trust have coalesced around a single software client, contradicting Bitcoins ethos of decentralization and permissionless development.

Why This Matters

The discussion strikes at the heart of Bitcoins identity: Can a decentralized protocol remain truly sovereign if nearly everyone relies on a single codebase？

While Bitcoin Core has historically prioritized security and conservatism, critics argue that its dominance could stifle innovation, increase attack vectors, or lead to ideological bottlenecks in governance.

With high-profile names like Mow and O‘Beirne weighing in, this debate could influence how future developers and node operators think about Bitcoin implementation diversity and the protocol’s long-term resilience.

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