Bitcoin Community Condemns Proposed Hard Fork, Calling it a 'Theft' of Satoshi's Coins

Veteran Bitcoin developer Paul Sztorc has unveiled a contentious plan to create a separate Bitcoin chain, called eCash, which would mimic the existing Bitcoin blockchain but with an added feature called Drivechains. The proposed hard fork, scheduled for August 2026, would give current bitcoin holders an equivalent amount of eCash tokens. However, the community is criticizing Sztorc's intention to utilize coins linked to Satoshi Nakamoto's addresses on the new eCash chain to attract investors, with many labeling it as 'theft'. The debate surrounding the hard fork has sparked concerns about the precedent it may set and the potential risks to the entire Bitcoin ecosystem.