Would OP_SUCCESS (OP_CAT) be spent?

In the realm of blockchain and cryptocurrency, the discussion of reorganization (reorg) events within the context of mining operations and proposed soft forks unveils complex challenges and considerations. A reorg may occur if a miner includes transactions with OP_SUCCESS spends that are invalid under future soft fork rules unknown at the time of mining. This could lead to the creation of an invalid block, which might still be built upon by other miners who have not upgraded their systems to recognize or enforce the new rules. The situation highlights a pivotal issue where miners, intentionally or not, begin to act as enforcers of proposed soft fork standards by choosing which transactions to include in their blocks. This dynamic introduces several critical issues.

Firstly, there's a scaling concern regarding which proposals a mining pool should implement and how it decides when to stop enforcing each proposal. This also raises questions about the extent to which miners should monitor the progress of these proposals. Secondly, there are DoS (Denial of Service) risks both to individual miners and the network at large. Any update to a proposal could lead to semantic changes that can be exploited, illustrating the fragile balance between maintaining network integrity and evolving its underlying technology. Thirdly, the discussion touches on the incentives for miners. Once miners start selectively processing transactions based on compliance with specific proposals, it opens up broader questions about fee collection and the fundamental principles guiding transaction validation and inclusion in blocks.

The dialogue further explores the potential for disruption within the network. While some instances of deviation from widely-enforced standardness rules may not immediately appear disruptive, the trend towards disregarding these norms poses significant risks. Recent years have shown that it is relatively easy to initiate trends that flout established rules, potentially leading to rapid and destabilizing changes within the network. Despite personal reservations about increasing the size of standard OP_RETURN transactions or lowering the minimum relay feerate, there's a clear desire among participants to rely on upgrade hooks. These mechanisms are seen as vital for ensuring the network's ability to adapt and evolve while maintaining stability and security.