Developer Proposes Bitcoin Hard Fork to eCash With 1:1 Distribution, Sparks Debate Over Satoshi Address Allocation

Gate News message, April 27 — Developer Paul Sztorc has proposed a Bitcoin hard fork scheduled for August 2026 at block height 964,000 to create a new blockchain called eCash, according to CoinDesk. The fork will distribute eCash to users holding BTC at a 1:1 ratio and introduce Drivechains sidechain architecture on the new network.

The proposal has sparked controversy over plans to pre-allocate a portion of eCash corresponding to Satoshi Nakamoto's address to early investors. Critics have accused the plan of "stealing" tokens, raising concerns within the community about the legitimacy of the allocation scheme.

Sztorc defended the initiative, stating it aims to provide incentives for development and collaboration before the project's launch. The allocation strategy remains a key point of contention as the community debates the proposal's implications for Bitcoin's decentralized ethos.