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 chain with its own tokens, while also assigning equivalent tokens to existing Bitcoin holders. The proposed fork has sparked intense debate within the community, particularly regarding the plan to reassign coins linked to Bitcoin's mysterious founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, to attract investors before the fork. Sztorc's plan involves copying Bitcoin's code and launching a new chain in August, with the addition of Drivechains, a scaling architecture that would enable seamless movement of BTC between the main chain and sidechains. However, the community has expressed concerns over the funding mechanism, with some labeling it as 'theft' and 'disrespectful'. The proposed hard fork has also raised questions about the precedent it may set and the potential risks it poses to Bitcoin holders.