Veteran Developer Proposes Bitcoin Hard Fork, Sparking Controversy Over Satoshi Coin Reallocation

Paul Sztorc, a long-time Bitcoin developer, has unveiled a proposal for a hard fork called eCash, aimed at overhauling the cryptocurrency's architecture. The plan involves creating a separate version of the Bitcoin blockchain, launching in August 2026, and providing existing bitcoin holders with equivalent tokens on the new network. However, the community is criticizing the proposal's funding aspect, which includes reassigning coins linked to Bitcoin's founder, Satoshi Nakamoto. The concept of a hard fork is likened to a railway line splitting into two, allowing for a new chain to emerge with its own rules and features. Sztorc's proposal includes the introduction of Drivechains, a scaling architecture that enables seamless movement of BTC between the main chain and sidechains. The new chain, eCash, will have its native tokens and is scheduled to launch in August 2026. The community's response has been largely negative, with some calling the reassignment of Satoshi coins 'theft' and expressing concerns over the precedent it sets. The proposal has sparked a debate over the future of Bitcoin and the implications of hard forks on the cryptocurrency's ecosystem.