21 BTCBitcoin Knots
In plain words
Bitcoin Knots is an alternative node program based on Bitcoin Core and maintained by Luke Dashjr. It follows the same consensus rules but filters more non-payment data by default.
Differences from Core
Knots is a patch set on top of Bitcoin Core. Blocks valid for Core are valid for Knots, so both stay on the same chain. The differences are in policy: which unconfirmed transactions a node relays and keeps in its Mempool, plus extra options in the GUI and wallet.
Its share of reachable nodes grew sharply in 2025–2026 during the OP_RETURN debate around Core 30. Some Knots nodes also signal for BIP-110; the live numbers are on the Nodes page.
See also
- Bitcoin CoreBitcoin Core is the main software that runs the Bitcoin network, the direct descendant of Satoshi's original program. It is free and open source, maintained by volunteers and grant-funded developers.
- Full nodeA full node is a computer running Bitcoin software that checks every block and transaction against the rules by itself. With your own node you don't have to trust anyone about your balance.
- MempoolThe mempool is the waiting room for Bitcoin payments: transactions sent but not yet in a block. Miners usually pick the ones paying the highest fee per byte first.
- Luke DashjrLuke Dashjr is a Bitcoin developer: Maintainer of Bitcoin Knots; author of many BIPs.
- BIP (Bitcoin Improvement Proposal)A BIP is a public design document that proposes a change or a standard for Bitcoin. Writing a BIP does not change Bitcoin; node operators decide by running software that implements it.
References
- bitcoinknots.org bitcoinknots.org
- Bitcoin Core 30.0 release notes bitcoincore.org
- coin.dance: node versions coin.dance