Bitcoin, Metaprotocols, and Why You Can't Just Make It Stop

Bitcoin's design makes stopping metaprotocols impossible. Attempts to do so are futile and limit Bitcoin's use as money. Embrace the reality, New York style.

Bitcoin is more than just digital currency; it's a database. And like any database, people are going to find ways to use it in ways its creators never imagined. The recent buzz around Bitcoin metaprotocols raises a critical question: Can we, or should we, try to stop them? Spoiler alert: You can't. And here's why.

Bitcoin: The Unstoppable Database

Think of Bitcoin as a digital dollar bill. People deface dollar bills all the time, stamping messages or drawing on them. It's technically illegal, but does it stop anyone? Of course not. The same principle applies to Bitcoin. Trying to control how people use the Bitcoin database is like trying to stop graffiti on cash – futile.

What are Metaprotocols?

A Bitcoin metaprotocol is essentially a set of rules layered on top of the base Bitcoin protocol. It interprets the data and actions of Bitcoin through a new lens. For example, Ordinals assigns a unique 'serial number' to every single satoshi that is mined. The Bitcoin protocol is completely unaware of this external protocol, and nothing at all can be done to stop users from interpreting valid Bitcoin transactions in this manner.

Why You Can't Stop Them

The core of Bitcoin's design allows for arbitrary data inclusion to facilitate transactions. You can't predict what data users will need to send. Attempts to block specific data embedding methods are a never-ending game of whack-a-mole. Users will always find new ways to embed data, and metaprotocols can adapt much faster than Bitcoin's core protocol can be updated via soft forks.

Even if you manage to block one method, users can simply create fake public keys or use private keys to embed data indirectly. The only way to truly prevent this is to centralize control over Bitcoin, which defeats the entire purpose of a decentralized cryptocurrency.

Why People Will Keep Doing It

People use metaprotocols for two main reasons: either they provide real utility or they're fueled by speculation. If a metaprotocol offers a valuable service, users will always find ways to bypass restrictions. If it's purely speculative, like NFTs, restricting one form of asset creation won't stop people from creating new ones. Controversy often drives demand, turning restrictions into incentives.

The Rational Approach

Trying to eliminate data embedding in Bitcoin is a losing battle. All we can do is force users to adopt more inefficient methods, which negatively impacts the entire network. It is self-destructive, limiting Bitcoin's use as money. The rational move is to accept that people will use Bitcoin in unexpected ways and focus on maintaining the efficiency of the core protocol.

A New Yorker's Take

So, what's the takeaway? Stop fighting the inevitable. Bitcoin is a database, and people will find ways to use it. Instead of wasting time and resources on futile attempts to control it, let's focus on keeping Bitcoin efficient and accessible. Embrace the chaos, and let the metaprotocols do their thing. After all, isn't that the beauty of a truly decentralized system?