Recent data indicates a significant increase in JPEG files on the Bitcoin blockchain, raising concerns about network efficiency and transaction costs.
Growth of JPEGs on Bitcoin Blockchain
According to a recent post by Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream, the number of JPEG files on the Bitcoin blockchain surged by 20% from May to September 2025, reaching 105 million. This resulted in transaction fees amounting to about 7,000 bitcoins (BTC) or $700 million at a Bitcoin price of $100,000. Most of these images are stored using a feature called Taproot inscriptions.
How Bitcoin Handles Spam
Adam Back explained that miners only provide computing power and cannot change Bitcoin protocol rules. Real control comes from 'economic nodes' run by users. He noted that the 'block-size wars' showed that the market decides, not miners. JPEG spam primarily comes from image sellers and venture capitalists funding this activity.
Reducing JPEG Spam
Back emphasized that any action against spam must make economic sense. He suggested that miners could be encouraged to avoid including JPEGs by choosing mining pools that don’t process them. Another approach is adjusting transaction fees to make spam unprofitable. It's also important to educate miners about the negative publicity it can create.
In light of the increasing number of JPEG files on the Bitcoin blockchain, the need to address spam is becoming more pressing. Solutions must be carefully considered to avoid centralization risks.
