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

Veteran Bitcoin developer Paul Sztorc has unveiled a proposal for a 2026 hard fork, dubbed eCash, which would create a separate Bitcoin blockchain and offer equivalent tokens to existing BTC holders. The plan, however, has been met with criticism due to its intention to reassign coins tied to Bitcoin's mysterious founder, Satoshi Nakamoto. Sztorc's vision for eCash includes the integration of Drivechains, a scaling solution he first introduced in 2015. The proposed hard fork is slated for August 2026 and aims to provide BTC holders with equivalent eCash tokens, which can be sold, kept, or ignored. The eCash chain will be a near-replica of the existing Bitcoin blockchain, with the addition of Drivechains, allowing for seamless movement of BTC between the main chain and sidechains. Seven Drivechains are already in development, including a privacy chain modeled on Zcash and a prediction market called Truthcoin. The community has expressed concerns over the plan to use Satoshi-equivalent eCash coins to attract investors, with some labeling it as theft. The move has sparked a heated debate, with industry experts weighing in on the potential implications of such a move. While Sztorc argues that the plan is necessary to build momentum and ensure the project's success, others have raised concerns about the precedent it sets and the potential risks to BTC holdings.