Bitcoin or Bitcoin2x? News & Guides to Navigate November's Fork

CoinDesk compiles its explainers and feature articles on Segwit2x ahead of its expected hard fork in mid-November.

AccessTimeIconOct 30, 2017 at 5:58 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 13, 2021 at 7:05 a.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

For bitcoin, November is a step into the unknown.

Despite its steadily increasing price, not to mention a growing acknowledgment from the financial mainstream, the technical roadmap for the cryptocurrency has never been so hotly contested.

After years of debate on the best path forward, a new code proposal called Segwit2x is set to put the cryptocurrency – the world's largest by value – to the test. And while it boasts significant support from miners and businesses, it remains unclear whether the new code will change bitcoin's rules, or if another new cryptocurrency will be created (one already being branded bitcoin2x by some).

Quite simply, there's never been a larger change to the platform, nor one that has been the subject of such criticism and scrutiny.

And it might not be all free money. As developers are keen to note, this is bleeding-edge science; in short, we're in uncharted territory, and if past forks are any indication, decisions could lead to consequences – for users, investors and the market at large.

To help readers navigate the upcoming hard fork, CoinDesk is assembling our best content on the issue, allowing readers new and old to get up to speed in real-time.

Segwit2x explained

So, what exactly is Segwit2x? And how does it work?

First thing's first, it's both a proposal that seeks to change bitcoin's technology and a formal written agreement reached between certain parties interested in that change.

In CoinDesk's official explainer, we'll walk you through the basics: from how the protocol works to why Segwit2x represents something we haven't quite seen in the world of blockchain.

https://www.coindesk.com/understanding-segwit2x-bitcoins-next-fork-might-different/

Who supports who?

Now that you're caught up, we can dive into the dissent.

As an open platform, bitcoin thrives on the "co-opetition" between various parties. But as the following articles show, this delicate balance has been thrown into discord.

Developers

An open-source protocol, bitcoin relies on a group of volunteer and startup-sponsored developers to fix bugs, propose changes and maintain operations.

As such, it may be particularly noteworthy that on the subject of Segwit2x, members of this group continue to maintain that they're emphatically not involved. Back in May they protested widely, and as our recent reporting shows, not much has changed.

https://www.coindesk.com/bitcoin-battle-developers-apathetic-segwit2x-fork-approaches/

Miners

The large companies that operate the machinery required to solve bitcoin's puzzles and approve its transactions, miners are a more evasive bunch.

Originally supportive of the move, that confidence may now be waning. Notable here is the decision-making role miners play, and how this indecision could contribute to November's results.

https://www.coindesk.com/split-no-split-bitcoin-miners-see-no-certainty-segwit2x-fork/

Startups

The group that's seemingly put the most weight behind the change, startups use the bitcoin protocol to offer services to customers. In this way, they've perhaps had the most direct relationship with the technology, paying its fees and building infrastructure on its code.

Startups remain optimistic changes to the blockchain will correct concerns around scalability, though as new statements show, they're preparing for worst-case outcomes.

https://www.coindesk.com/free-market-forks-bitcoin-startups-love-idea-brace-reality/

Further reading:

The opinions

As shown above, the fork is a divisive issue.

But, that's not to say there haven't been attempts that aspire to look at the situation analytically in an attempt to find a less impassioned perspective and those that don't attempt to do this at all.

Below, we provide a notable selection of reactions and takes that have added to, or helped to represent, aspects of the discussion.

https://www.coindesk.com/bitcoins-new-scaling-agreement-reaction/

Further reading:

The backstory

Of course, there's a deep history at play here.

Discussions have gotten taken out of context and arguments have turned fiery, leading to some confusion in the market over who's right and who's wrong, if there's even a direct answer there.

While both sides generally want the same thing – bitcoin to be used by more people – the sides argue whether that's a near-term or longer-term problem.

Still totally lost? Well, you're in good company...

https://www.coindesk.com/nobody-understands-bitcoin-thats-ok/

Further reading:

Disclosure: CoinDesk is a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which helped organize the Segwit2x agreement.

Image via Alex Sunnarborg for CoinDesk

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.