Nikita Zhavoronkov, the head programmer of Blockchair, a digital currency block detective, has voiced his apprehensions regarding Bitcoin’s diminishing security funds. Zhavoronkov asserted that the platform needs to witness consistently high charges to counterbalance the security repercussions of the latest slicing. After the post-halving distribution of Runes, charges have reverted to standard levels.

Zhavoronkov, the central mind behind Blockchair, a tool that helps users explore blockchain data, has highlighted concerns about the financial security of Bitcoin. He indicated that the network's security funds, which include the total amount of Bitcoin miners earn through subsidies and charges, had substantially reduced following the recent halving event. The prime developer emphasized the necessity for the network to sustain elevated charges in order to maintain the security funds. In the immediate aftermath of halving events, the network experienced a surge in charges triggered by the issuance of Runes. Nonetheless, this situation has since subsided, with charges returning to levels comparable to those prior to the halving occurrence.

Sharing his concerns on social media platforms, Zhavoronkov articulated that the viability of the security funds post-halving hinges on the continuous generation of an additional 3.125 BTC in miner charges. Owing to the consistent contraction of Bitcoin’s security funds, Zhavoronkov outlined three potential scenarios that could help mitigate the impact: implementing measures for on-chain scalability to accommodate more transactions and thereby augment miner earnings; revisiting the monetary framework of Bitcoin, possibly involving the abolishment of the 21 million BTC cap on circulation; or altering the consensus model of Bitcoin by transitioning from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake.

Although facing criticism from some users, Zhavoronkov remained steadfast in his analysis of the shrinking Bitcoin security budget, contending that it necessitates proactive measures. His opponents argued that the budget decrease was not a significant concern, citing the simultaneous reduction in new Bitcoin creation alongside a surge in its market value. Zhavoronkov emphasized the importance of evaluating the security budget in BTC units rather than USD, underscoring that the value miners secure correlates with the prevailing Bitcoin price levels.