BIP-110 Bitcoin branch stalls after two blocks as gap widens
Reported by Cointelegraph · AI-assisted summary by ChikoCorp AI News Desk
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Summary
Bitcoin’s branch enforcing BIP-110 stalled after producing only two blocks, reaching block 961,633, while the main non-enforcing chain advanced to block 961,721, increasing their gap to 88 blocks. The first two blocks on the BIP-110 branch were mined by a pseudonymous group called Roughnecks using Ocean’s Decentralized Alternative Templates for Universal Mining (DATUM) protocol. The split began when BIP-110 entered mandatory signaling at block 961,632, but only 2.53% of the previous 2,016 blocks signaled support.
Why it matters
The stalled BIP-110 branch shows resistance within the Bitcoin network to the proposed change and highlights ongoing community divisions. Since BIP-110 requires mandatory signaling for miners, the lack of hash power supporting it slows its progress and prevents its difficulty adjustment. Critics, including prominent industry figures, warn the proposal could undermine Bitcoin’s consensus rules and system credibility.
Key context
BIP-110 is a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal that necessitates miners to signal support via version bit 4, with enforcement continuing through block 963,647. Nodes enforcing BIP-110 reject non-signaling blocks, but ordinary Bitcoin nodes accept both signaling and non-signaling ones. The proposal aims to achieve its objectives through this signaling mechanism over a 2,016-block adjustment period, but has encountered opposition from key community members.
Key numbers and entities
Block numbers involved are 961,633 (BIP-110 branch) and 961,721 (main chain), with an 88-block gap. Only 51 out of the previous 2,016 blocks (2.53%) signaled support. The pseudonymous mining group Roughnecks mined the first two BIP-110 blocks using Ocean’s DATUM mining protocol. Public critics include Michael Saylor, Strategy executive chairman, and Adam Back, Blockstream CEO.
What remains unclear
The source does not flag open questions but indicates that the BIP-110 branch’s future progress depends on increased hash power support and the continuation of mandatory signaling through block 963,647.