Bitcoin Cash (BCH) has undergone several contentious hard forks since its inception in 2017. This article explores the ideological splits, technical upgrades, and community conflicts that shaped BCH's evolution, including its upcoming November 2020 fork.
The Origins: BTC, BCH, and BSV
Bitcoin's Scaling Challenges
- 2008-2016: Bitcoin's 1MB block size limitation caused network congestion during adoption spikes
- Community Divide: Developers (Core) favored SegWit+Lightning solutions vs. miners advocating on-chain scaling
The Birth of Bitcoin Cash (August 2017)
Key differentiators:
- 8MB → 32MB blocks
- Disabled SegWit
- 1:1 distribution to BTC holders
- Primary use case: Low-fee electronic cash
The BSV Split (November 2018)
Craig Wright's "Satoshi Vision" demanded:
- Protocol lock-in
- 128MB → 2GB blocks
- Outcome: BCHABC vs BCHSV chains
Technical Philosophies Compared
| Feature | BTC | BCH | BSV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block Size | 1MB | 32MB | Unlimited (2GB+) |
| Focus | Store of value | Payments | Enterprise ledger |
| Smart Contracts | None | OP_CODE attempts | Metanet data layer |
The 2020 Fork: IFP Controversy
Infrastructure Funding Plan (IFP)
- Proposal: Redirect 8% block rewards to development
- Supporters: BCHABC team
- Opposition: 84% miners running BCHN nodes
Community Impact
- Developers: Sustainable funding vs. centralization risks
- Miners: Immediate revenue reduction
- Holders: Potential new token airdrops
Fork Consequences
For Users
✅ Airdrop opportunities
⚠️ Replay attack risks during transfers
For Miners
- Possible hashrate fluctuations between chains
- Reduced security on lower-hashrate fork
Market Effects
- Historical price volatility during forks
- Potential speculative trading opportunities
FAQs
Q: Which chain will keep the BCH name?
A: Typically the chain with majority miner support (currently BCHN).
Q: How does this fork differ from 2018's split?
A: 2018 involved ideological differences; 2020 centers on funding mechanics.
Q: Should I move my BCH before the fork?
A: Avoid transactions during the fork window to prevent accidental losses.
👉 Track real-time BCH fork updates
👉 Compare crypto forks side-by-side
Key Takeaways:
- BCH forks reflect ongoing governance experiments
- Development sustainability remains an unsolved challenge
- All chains continue evolving their unique value propositions