The bitcoin network experienced its fifth significant congestion event today, temporarily halting block production for an hour, according to reports from blockchain expert Colin Wu and the BTC website.
The disruption, which occurred between 11:47 am and 12:56 pm, is part of a recurring problem that has plagued the network this year and last.
This latest congestion mirrors previous instances that occurred twice in May 2023 and twice in 2021. Such disruptions have serious implications for cryptocurrency exchanges, especially Binance, one of the leading platforms in the market. In response to these network congestions, Binance was forced to temporarily suspend bitcoin (BTC) withdrawals.
The surge in popularity of Inscription and BRC-20 has been identified as a significant factor contributing to these network congestions.
These platforms have seen increased usage over the past two years, putting additional strain on the bitcoin network. The repeated disruptions underscore the growing pains Bitcoin faces as it continues to navigate the complexities of widespread adoption and increased transaction volumes.