Bitcoin Core 29.1 lowers the default minimum relay fee to 0.1 sat/vB (100 sat/kvB), a 90% cut that makes many transactions substantially cheaper while retaining basic DoS protections; adoption will be gradual as node operators and forks update settings and policies.
Default fee reduced from 1 sat/vB to 0.1 sat/vB — a 90% reduction
Most node operators can change the setting, so full network effect depends on adoption pace
Current node telemetry: Bitcoin Core 29 and Knots versions show mixed uptake; only a small share run 29.1
Bitcoin Core 29.1 cuts the minimum relay fee to 0.1 sat/vB, slashing fees 90%. Read how this impacts transaction costs, node operators, and network propagation — learn what to expect.
Bitcoin Core 29.1 cut the default minimum relay fee from 1 sat/vB to 0.1 sat/vB, making Bitcoin transactions significantly cheaper while retaining DoS protection.
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What is the Bitcoin Core 29.1 minimum relay fee change?
Bitcoin Core 29.1 sets the default minimum relay fee to 0.1 sat/vB (100 sat/kvB), down from 1 sat/vB. This 90% reduction lowers the default threshold below which nodes will generally not relay transactions, making many low-fee transactions more likely to propagate.
How will the reduced minimum relay fee affect transaction costs and propagation?
The change reduces the default relay floor, so transactions priced between 0.1 and 1 sat/vB are now more likely to be accepted by nodes running the new default. Miners and node operators still control what they relay and mine. Data shows many sub-1 sat/vB transactions were already being mined, and the new default aligns node behavior with observed miner acceptance.
| Setting | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Previous default | 1 sat/vB | — |
| New default (Bitcoin Core 29.1) | 0.1 sat/vB (100 sat/kvB) | 90% reduction |
When will nodes adopt Bitcoin Core 29.1?
Adoption will be incremental. BitRef telemetry indicates that over 72.5% of nodes run Bitcoin Core software, but only a small fraction currently run Bitcoin Core 29.1.
Current node snapshot: Bitcoin Core 29 shows strong presence with 4,510 nodes (~18% of network), Bitcoin Core 28.1 accounts for 3,991 nodes (~16%), and Bitcoin Knots 29.1 runs on 3,083 nodes (~12.3%). Only 571 nodes reported Bitcoin Core 29.1 (≈2.3%). These figures imply a gradual rollout as operators update.
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Developers cited long-term BTC price changes and observed network behavior. The decision, taken by Bitcoin Core contributors on Aug. 15, notes that the minimum relay fee is primarily a DoS protection rule. With BTC worth much more than a decade ago, lowering the fee in absolute satoshis is acceptable while preserving protections.
Developer Gloria Zhao explained the change aims to reduce propagation gaps caused by many sub-1 sat/vB transactions not relaying uniformly, while keeping the default high enough to deter spam. Mempool.Space publicly recommended lower defaults to avoid excessive user overpayment.
Bitcoin Knots, a fork focused on user control, chose not to inherit Bitcoin Core 29.1 defaults automatically. Knots added GUI options and a ‘corepolicy’ toggle so users can select Bitcoin Core defaults or retain prior settings. That preserves operator choice and slows unilateral network-wide policy shifts.
No. Miners set mining policies independently. Bitcoin Core 29.1 changes node relay defaults, not miner fee policy. Miners may still prioritize higher-fee transactions, but the relay change increases visibility of low-fee transactions to miners.
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