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

A long-time Bitcoin developer, Paul Sztorc, has unveiled a plan to overhaul the cryptocurrency's architecture through a hard fork called eCash. The proposed fork, scheduled for August 2026, would create a new chain with native eCash tokens, giving existing bitcoin holders equivalent tokens. However, the plan has sparked controversy due to its proposal to reassign coins linked to Bitcoin's missing founder, Satoshi Nakamoto. The community has criticized this move, with some calling it theft. Sztorc argues that the plan is necessary to bring investors on board and prevent the project from becoming a 'zombie project'. The proposed hard fork has drawn comparisons to the 2017 Bitcoin Cash fork, which was the result of a debate over Bitcoin's block size limit. The eCash fork would add a new feature called Drivechains, which would allow for the seamless movement of BTC between the main chain and sidechains. While some have expressed support for the proposal, others have raised concerns about the precedent it sets and the potential risks to BTC holdings.