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

Veteran Bitcoin developer Paul Sztorc has unveiled a proposal for a hard fork, dubbed eCash, which would create a separate Bitcoin chain with its own tokens, while allowing existing holders to claim equivalent tokens on the new network. The proposed fork, scheduled for August 2026, has sparked intense debate within the community, particularly regarding Sztorc's plan to utilize coins linked to Bitcoin's founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, to attract investors. The eCash chain would be a near-identical copy of the existing Bitcoin blockchain, with the addition of Drivechains, a scaling solution that enables seamless movement of BTC between the main chain and sidechains. However, the community has expressed strong opposition to the plan, with some labeling it as 'theft' and criticizing the potential precedent it could set for future coin reassignments.