Litecoin Sees Spike in Support for Scaling Solution SegWit

A controversial bitcoin scaling solution is seeing increased interest on another alternative blockchain network.

AccessTimeIconApr 3, 2017 at 6:55 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 11, 2021 at 1:12 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

A scaling solution originally developed for the bitcoin blockchain may soon get its first trial run on litecoin.

The percentage of the litecoin network signaling to enact the Segregated Witness (SegWit) upgrade reached record highs today according to Litecoinblockhalf.com, climbing to 58.33% of nodes and miners operating the software.

The figures mark a notable jump from last week when only around 25% of devices keeping track of the network's history were signaling for activation. Much of the increase comes from large mining pool F2Pool's decision to signal.

According to Litecoinpool.org, F2Pool currently produces over one-third of the hashing power behind the litecoin network.

While the figure marks an impressive uptick, SegWit still requires 75% of the network agree to adopt the proposal, a figure that is 20% below bitcoin's required 95% threshhold. Because of this differential, many view litecoin as a potential "sandbox" for discovering potential bugs and vulnerabilities possibly hidden in the nascent software.

Originally proposed in December 2015, SegWit sought to boost the bitcoin blockchain's transaction capacity by cleverly altering how data was stored by the network. Still, it has become mired in controversy, as a small group of vocal bitcoin users have pushed for alternative solutions.

Support image via Shutterstock

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.