# Gavin Andresen
# 2014-10-19 14:49:09
# https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=815712.msg9254666#msg9254666

@s{quotedtext}
@s{quotedtext}
 @p{brk}
Did you read my "blocksize economics" blog post? @p{par}

I don't understand why you think MAX_BLOCK_SIZE necessarily has anything to do with "supporting mining" (aka securing the network). @p{par}

What stops this from happening: @p{par}

Big miners accept off-blockchain payments from big merchants and exchanges that want their transactions confirmed. They are included in very small blocks with zero fees.  The blocksize stays at 1MB forever. @p{par}

Lets look at incentives: @p{par}

Big miners: have cozy agreements with Big Merchants. Those agreements keep the little guys out. @p{par}

Big Merchants: same thing. The need to get an agreement with a miner to get your transactions accepted is a barrier to entry for the Little Guys.