Bitcoin's blockchain split into two competing versions at block 961,632 after the controversial BIP-110 proposal entered mandatory signaling with support from miners seldom exceeding 2.5%. Mining pool Antpool produced the block accepted by the main network, while BIP-110 backer Roughnecks mined a rival version, leaving the fork's chain stalled as its four-week signaling window runs.
Bitcoin's blockchain split into two competing versions at block 961,632 on Saturday, after the controversial BIP-110 proposal entered its mandatory signaling period with support from miners seldom exceeding 2.5%, far short of the 55% threshold needed for activation.
Mining pool Antpool produced the block accepted by the rest of the network, while BIP-110 supporter Roughnecks mined a rival version of the same block, monitoring sites forkwatch.tv and fork.observer reported.
Rival Miners Trigger a Difficulty Split
The split landed just as Bitcoin's mining difficulty climbed 0.99% at block 961,632. The network's main chain kept moving, with blocks 961,633 and 961,634 mined by F2pool and Simple Mining, while the BIP-110 side remained frozen at block 961,632 as of 4:35 p.m. EDT.
LukeDashjr, a BIP-110 supporter, wrote on social media: "Antpool appears to be attacking Bitcoin. Hold tight everyone." BIP-110 creator Dathon Ohm instead congratulated Roughnecks for mining what he called the fork's first compliant block, saying the mandatory signaling period had begun.
A User-Activated Push Against Miners
BIP-110's backers are pushing the proposal as a user-activated soft fork, meaning it depends on node operators — not miners — to force the rule change. Node operators who adopt it would reject any block from a miner that fails to signal support for BIP-110, effectively attempting to coerce miners into line or cut them off entirely.
Supporters also point to the 2017 activation of SegWit via BIP-148 as a precedent for this approach, noting that upgrade also took effect without majority miner support. Prominent Bitcoin figures including Strategy chairman Michael Saylor and Blockstream CEO Adam Back have voiced their opposition to the proposal.
Signaling Window Runs Four More Weeks
The BIP-110 side of the split could stay stuck at block 961,632 for days given its limited hashrate, Bitcoin.com reported. Bitcoin's signaling window for the proposal runs until the network reaches block 965,664, expected in about four weeks. Supporters maintain the breakaway chain could still grow if more node operators join and pressure miners to comply — or, lacking support, it could simply grind to a halt.
Sources: CoinDesk, Bitcoin.com
Trading involves risk.
Risk Disclaimer
