{"id":76502,"date":"2026-08-07T14:05:22","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T14:05:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/bip-110-supporters-prepare-pow-switch-if-miners-refuse-soft-fork-plan\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T14:05:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T14:05:22","slug":"bip-110-supporters-prepare-pow-switch-if-miners-refuse-soft-fork-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/bip-110-supporters-prepare-pow-switch-if-miners-refuse-soft-fork-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"BIP-110 Supporters Prepare PoW Switch If Miners Refuse Soft Fork Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>(Originally posted on : Bitcoin News )<\/b><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"@container mb-[25px] rounded-sm overflow-clip py-0.5 pr-0.5 pl-2.5 bg-success-100\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-m overflow-clip rounded-[6px] !bg-success-10 p-3 @[420px]:p-m\">\n<h2 class=\"m-0 flex items-center gap-s text-[19px] !text-[#1c1c1c] md:text-[20px]\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"10\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 10\" fill=\"none\" class=\"shrink-0 text-success-100\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M1 1.5h14\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><path d=\"M1 8.5h10\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><\/svg><span>Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul class=\"m-0 flex list-none flex-col gap-m pl-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 flex items-start gap-s !text-[#434248]\"><span class=\"mt-2 size-2 shrink-0 rounded-full bg-success-100\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><span class=\"text-body\">Chris Guida rebased 2017 PoW fork code as BIP-110\u2019s Aug. 8-9 window nears.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 flex items-start gap-s !text-[#434248]\"><span class=\"mt-2 size-2 shrink-0 rounded-full bg-success-100\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><span class=\"text-body\">BIP-110\u2019s 55% threshold tests whether Bitcoin nodes can overcome miner resistance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 flex items-start gap-s !text-[#434248]\"><span class=\"mt-2 size-2 shrink-0 rounded-full bg-success-100\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><span class=\"text-body\">Start9 closed Lightning channels before block 961632 as split risks grew<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The code is not yet scheduled for activation, and Guida has described it as a last-resort contingency rather than an imminent fork. <a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/chrisguida\/bitcoin\/tree\/powchange-29+knots\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The codebase public release<\/a> still raises the stakes around BIP-110, a proposed temporary soft fork that would restrict how much nonfinancial data can be embedded in bitcoin transactions and could place enforcing nodes on a separate chain if miners refuse to cooperate.<\/p>\n<h2>Guida Revives Bitcoin\u2019s Nuclear Option<\/h2>\n<p>Guida rebased proof-of-work change code written by Bitcoin developer Luke Dashjr in 2017 onto a recent Bitcoin Knots codebase. The public branch updates the older concept for modern software and includes changes to mining validation, consensus settings, block handling, chain parameters and functional tests. <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/cguida6\/status\/2084773284734796106?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">On Aug. 4, Guida told the public<\/a> that the code is being kept \u201cin our back pocket\u201d in case miners block or stall BIP-110.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople seem to think that the intention is for this pow change to activate immediately,\u201d the developer wrote. \u201cThat\u2019s not the case This is just some code to have in our back pocket in case miners betray bitcoin, to activate at some point later.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_837475\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-837475\" style=\"width:1370px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-837475\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image source: X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The purpose is to give BIP-110 supporters an escape route from the computing power controlled by existing miners. A new <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/deciphering-the-differences-between-proof-of-stake-and-proof-of-work\/\">proof-of-work (PoW) algorithm<\/a> would prevent today\u2019s specialized bitcoin mining machines from immediately dominating the breakaway chain. Guida has said he expects miners to support a smooth BIP-110 activation, while <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/LukeDashjr\/status\/2085373116134416617?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dashjr has doubled down by saying<\/a> \u201cCore is the scamcoin,\u201d making clear he sees the fight as far from over.<\/p>\n<h2>Ordinals Keep Flowing While Bitcoin\u2019s Biggest Players Stay Quiet<\/h2>\n<p>Those backing Ordinals, Runes and other arbitrary blockchain data are making their position unmistakably clear just before mandatory signaling begins. At block height 961278, MARA Pool mined a block containing only two transactions, one of which embedded a vintage-style Pepe the Frog image. \u201cReally MARA?\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/wesleybrad060\/status\/2085329211267453250?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">one user wrote<\/a>. \u201c3.85 MB space for this? People using Slipstream for this\u2026..\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_837473\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-837473\" style=\"width:1162px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-837473 size-full\" title=\"BIP-110 Supporters Prepare PoW Switch If Miners Refuse Soft Fork Plan\" src=\"https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-00-52-pm.png\" alt=\"X screenshot \" width=\"1162\" height=\"682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-00-52-pm-300x176.png 300w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-00-52-pm-1024x601.png 1024w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-00-52-pm-768x451.png 768w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-00-52-pm.png 1162w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1162px) 100vw, 1162px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-837473\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Two images of block height 961278 and contents where MARA Pool mined a block with only two transactions. One of which was this Pepe painting. Image source: X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Across Bitcoin\u2019s infrastructure, contingency planning for BIP-110 has been strikingly quiet. Major mining pools including MARA Pool, Antpool, F2Pool, ViaBTC and others have revealed little, while support has largely come from smaller operators such as SoV, Roughnecks and Sympatheia. Exchanges and custodians remain mostly silent. <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/crypto-news\/bitcoin-nears-chain-split-as-bip-110-rebels-defy-global-hashpower\/\">Bitcoin.com News previously reported<\/a> that Australian bitcoin platforms Bitaroo and Hardblock are among the few to publicly outline contingency plans.<\/p>\n<h2>BIP-110 Forces Miners Toward a Deadline<\/h2>\n<p>BIP-110, formally called the Reduced Data Temporary Softfork, would tighten Bitcoin\u2019s rules on arbitrary data for roughly one year. It would limit certain contiguous data, reduce permitted script sizes and restore an 83-byte consensus limit for OP_RETURN, a transaction field that can be used to attach data. Supporters say the restrictions would return the base layer\u2019s focus to financial activity and reduce legal or operational risks for node operators.<\/p>\n<p>The proposal requires 55% miner signaling, or 1,109 of 2,016 blocks, for an early lock-in. If that threshold is not reached, a mandatory signaling window begins at block 961,632, projected to happen <a href=\"https:\/\/bip110.org\/monitor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">this weekend on or around Aug. 8 or 9<\/a>. Nodes enforcing BIP-110 would then reject blocks that do not signal support, with lock-in expected no later than block 963,648 and activation targeted around block 965664.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_837478\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-837478\" style=\"width:1342px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-837478 size-full\" title=\"BIP-110 Supporters Prepare PoW Switch If Miners Refuse Soft Fork Plan\" src=\"https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-24-47-pm.png\" alt=\"X screenshot \" width=\"1342\" height=\"790\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-24-47-pm-300x177.png 300w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-24-47-pm-1024x603.png 1024w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-24-47-pm-768x452.png 768w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-24-47-pm.png 1342w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1342px) 100vw, 1342px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-837478\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image source: X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Voluntary signaling has remained low, even as Bitcoin Knots adoption has appeared higher among reachable nodes. That gap matters because miners provide the computing power that advances the chain, while nodes independently decide which blocks and rules they accept. When miners and a meaningful group of nodes follow incompatible rules, Bitcoin can divide into competing histories, ultimately leaving businesses and users to decide which chain they recognize.<\/p>\n<h2>A PoW Switch Would Strand Today\u2019s ASICs<\/h2>\n<p>Bitcoin currently uses double SHA-256, known as SHA-256d, as its PoW algorithm. Specialized machines called application-specific integrated circuits, or ASICs, perform that calculation far more efficiently than ordinary computers and account for nearly all modern bitcoin mining. Changing the algorithm would make those machines ineffective on the new chain unless developers selected a compatible replacement.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_837477\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-837477\" style=\"width:1340px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-837477 size-full\" title=\"BIP-110 Supporters Prepare PoW Switch If Miners Refuse Soft Fork Plan\" src=\"https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-23-09-pm.png\" alt=\"X screenshot \" width=\"1340\" height=\"354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-23-09-pm-300x79.png 300w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-23-09-pm-1024x271.png 1024w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-23-09-pm-768x203.png 768w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-23-09-pm.png 1340w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1340px) 100vw, 1340px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-837477\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image source: X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Guida\u2019s code allows a future hard fork to switch algorithms after a configurable time. The available options include SHA-256, SHA-256d, RIPEMD-160 and HASH160, although the mainnet setting leaves the fork unscheduled by default. Any actual launch would require developers and users to agree on an algorithm, activation time, software release and coordination plan. No such schedule currently exists.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_837571\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-837571\" style=\"width:1380px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-837571 size-full\" title=\"BIP-110 Supporters Prepare PoW Switch If Miners Refuse Soft Fork Plan\" src=\"https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-07-at-7-50-15-am.png\" alt=\"X screenshot \" width=\"1380\" height=\"380\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-07-at-7-50-15-am-300x83.png 300w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-07-at-7-50-15-am-1024x282.png 1024w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-07-at-7-50-15-am-768x211.png 768w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-07-at-7-50-15-am.png 1380w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1380px) 100vw, 1380px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-837571\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image source: X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The first block under the replacement algorithm would receive a mining target roughly 1 million times easier under the default setting. That reset is intended to help a chain with little initial computing power produce blocks instead of freezing. Normal difficulty rules would then resume. Supporters see the mechanism as leverage against miners, while critics say it could destroy mining investment, fragment liquidity and create a minority cryptocurrency with weak infrastructure support.<\/p>\n<h2>Lightning Operators Move to Limit Fork Exposure<\/h2>\n<p>A proof-of-work fork would create complications far beyond mining. Start9 has warned that Lightning Network channels <a href=\"https:\/\/start9.com\/bip110\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">opened before a split may be difficult to recover<\/a> or migrate because their pre-signed transactions, time locks and penalty rules were built around a shared chain history. A slowly advancing or reorganized chain could leave channel balances stranded or expose users to disputes involving older channel states.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_837480\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-837480\" style=\"width:1346px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-837480 size-full\" title=\"BIP-110 Supporters Prepare PoW Switch If Miners Refuse Soft Fork Plan\" src=\"https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-29-49-pm.png\" alt=\"X screenshot \" width=\"1346\" height=\"794\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-29-49-pm-300x177.png 300w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-29-49-pm-1024x604.png 1024w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-29-49-pm-768x453.png 768w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-06-at-9-29-49-pm.png 1346w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1346px) 100vw, 1346px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-837480\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image source: X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Start9 advised users to consider cooperative channel closures before the mandatory signaling window and said it closed its own company node channels as a precaution. Closing a <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/crypto-news\/ai-attack-freezes-boltz-rattles-lightning-network-users\/\">Lightning Network<\/a> channel normally returns funds to regular onchain outputs controlled by the user\u2019s keys. Exchanges, custodians and payment services would face separate decisions about deposits, withdrawals, confirmation requirements and replay protection, which prevents a transaction on one chain from being copied onto the other.<\/p>\n<h2>Bitcoin\u2019s Next Battle Tests Who Sets the Rules<\/h2>\n<p>The dispute revives arguments from Bitcoin\u2019s 2017 block-size fight, when users <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/is-a-new-user-activated-soft-fork-brewing-bitcoin-may-face-another-uasf-push\/\">promoted software enforcement (User Activated Soft Fork-UASF)<\/a> as a check on miner power. BIP-110 supporters say economic nodes define Bitcoin\u2019s rules and should be able to reject miners that refuse them. Opponents believe that the activation design is aggressive and that miners following the existing consensus are not attacking the network.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_837572\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-837572\" style=\"width:1356px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-837572 size-full\" title=\"BIP-110 Supporters Prepare PoW Switch If Miners Refuse Soft Fork Plan\" src=\"https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-07-at-7-49-32-am.png\" alt=\"X screenshot \" width=\"1356\" height=\"378\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-07-at-7-49-32-am-300x84.png 300w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-07-at-7-49-32-am-1024x285.png 1024w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-07-at-7-49-32-am-768x214.png 768w, https:\/\/static.news.bitcoin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/screenshot-2026-08-07-at-7-49-32-am.png 1356w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1356px) 100vw, 1356px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-837572\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image source: X<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For now, Guida\u2019s proof-of-work branch remains an unused contingency. The immediate test is whether bitcoin miners change their signaling behavior during the mandatory window and whether enforcing nodes remain on a viable chain. The next signals to watch are official Bitcoin Knots releases, miner support, Lightning channel closures, exchange policies and any move to give the hard-fork code a specific algorithm or activation date.<\/p>\n<p>At the time of writing, chain tip 961425 at 8:15 a.m. EDT on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, only 207 blocks remain before the mandate begins at block 961632. The numbers tell the story. <a href=\"https:\/\/bip110.org\/monitor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Just 47 of 1,818 blocks<\/a> have signaled BIP-110 support, leaving the current signaling rate stuck at roughly 2.59%.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/featured\/bip-110-supporters-prepare-pow-switch-if-miners-refuse-soft-fork-plan\/\">Source link <\/a><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(Originally posted on : Bitcoin News ) Key Takeaways Chris Guida rebased 2017 PoW fork code as BIP-110\u2019s Aug. 8-9 window nears. BIP-110\u2019s 55% threshold tests whether Bitcoin nodes can overcome miner resistance. Start9 closed Lightning channels before block 961632 as split risks grew The code is not yet scheduled for activation, and Guida has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":76503,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76502"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76502"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76502\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/76503"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76502"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76502"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76502"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}