Veteran Developer Proposes Bitcoin Hard Fork, eCash, Amid Controversy Over Satoshi Coin Reassignment

A long-standing Bitcoin developer, Paul Sztorc, has put forth a bold proposal to split the Bitcoin blockchain, creating a new network called eCash. This move, slated for August 2026, aims to give existing bitcoin holders equivalent tokens in the new network. However, the community is up in arms over the plan to reassign coins linked to Bitcoin's enigmatic founder, Satoshi Nakamoto. Sztorc's vision for eCash includes the integration of Drivechains, a scaling architecture designed to enhance the network's capabilities without altering its base layer. Despite the potential benefits, the proposal has sparked intense debate, with many labeling the reassignment of Satoshi coins as theft. The community's reaction underscores the challenges and controversies surrounding significant changes to the Bitcoin protocol.