Bitcoin Knots gaining popularity as alternative to Core, potential chain split may impact BTC price

From Cointelegraph

June 21, 2025 10:00 AM:

Bitcoin Knots, an alternative to Core, saw a 638% growth in nodes this year, now making up 13.24% of all nodes supporting the Bitcoin network. The surge suggests a significant distrust in Core’s authority and a push for a more pluralistic approach. A potential schism may impact price stability and adoption.

Bitcoin Knots, once a fringe fork of Core, gained traction in late 2024 as Core hinted at policy changes. Its node count tripled by early 2025 and continued to rise, reaching 2,909 nodes by June 19. This increase signals a rejection of Core’s authority, with more technical participants switching to Knots.

Bitcoin Core’s proposed changes, set for October 2025, include stricter handling of OP_RETURN transactions. This move has sparked debates over chain bloat, financial activity, and Bitcoin’s neutrality. Knots, unlike Core, do not implement these filters by default, attracting nodes seeking a more neutral policy layer.

In the past, Bitcoin’s split into Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash in 2017 caused market volatility but no collapse. BTC initially dropped 5.6%, then surged nearly 49% throughout August, solidifying its dominance. This time, with Bitcoin ETFs and corporate adoption, a schism between Core and Knots could pose greater market risk.

If Bitcoin Knots maintains its growth rate, it could reach over 5,000 nodes by October 2025, comprising 23% of the Bitcoin network. This level of adoption would mark a significant divergence from Core, potentially leading to a parallel consensus within Bitcoin. The rebellion against Core’s policies is gaining momentum.

Read more at Cointelegraph: Bitcoin Knots May Cause Chain Split And Kill BTC Price