BIP-110 Bitcoin branch stalls after two blocks as gap widens

cointelegraphPublished on 2026-08-09Last updated on 2026-08-09

Abstract

Bitcoin's BIP-110-enforcing blockchain branch has stalled after producing only two blocks, reaching block 961,633. Meanwhile, the main (non-enforcing) chain has progressed to block 961,721, creating an 88-block gap. The divergence began when BIP-110 entered a mandatory signaling phase at block 961,632. This rule requires nodes to reject blocks that do not signal support via a specific version bit. However, only 2.53% of blocks in the preceding period signaled support, leaving the enforcing branch with minimal hash power. Its progress is further hampered because it must mine through a full difficulty adjustment period before its mining difficulty can be reduced. The proposal has drawn criticism from figures like Michael Saylor and Adam Back, who argue it threatens Bitcoin's neutral consensus and credibility.

Bitcoin’s BIP-110-enforcing branch stalled at block 961,633 on Sunday after producing only two blocks, while the non-enforcing chain advanced to 961,721, widening the gap to 88 blocks.

According to the BIP-110 monitor, updated at 10:19 am UTC, the branch’s latest block had been mined about 12 hours earlier. Ocean records show that a pseudonymous mining group called Roughnecks produced the branch’s first two blocks using Ocean’s Decentralized Alternative Templates for Universal Mining (DATUM) mining protocol.

The divergence began after BIP-110 entered mandatory signaling at block 961,632 on Saturday. Only 51 of the preceding 2,016 blocks, or 2.53%, signaled support. During this window, BIP-110 nodes reject blocks that do not signal through version bit 4, while ordinary Bitcoin nodes accept both signaling and non-signaling blocks.

Under the proposal, mandatory signaling continues through block 963,647. The enforcing branch must mine through the remainder of the 2,016-block adjustment period before its difficulty can adjust, making progress slow without substantially more hashpower.

BIP-110 has faced opposition from prominent Bitcoin advocates. Strategy executive chairman Michael Saylor said he shared the proposal’s objectives but argued that its approach threatened Bitcoin’s neutral rules and consensus.

Blockstream CEO Adam Back warned that the consensus-level change could damage Bitcoin’s credibility and potentially make certain unspent transaction outputs unspendable.

Related: Bitcoin nodes running BIP-110 crosses 2% as spam wars heat up

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Related Questions

QAt which block did the Bitcoin BIP-110-enforcing branch stall?

AThe Bitcoin BIP-110-enforcing branch stalled at block 961,633.

QAccording to the article, how did the group 'Roughnecks' mine the first two blocks on the BIP-110 branch?

AThe pseudonymous mining group 'Roughnecks' produced the branch's first two blocks using Ocean's Decentralized Alternative Templates for Universal Mining (DATUM) mining protocol.

QWhat triggered the network divergence discussed in the article?

AThe divergence began after BIP-110 entered mandatory signaling at block 961,632 on Saturday. During this period, BIP-110 nodes reject blocks that do not signal support through version bit 4, while ordinary Bitcoin nodes accept all blocks.

QWhat is Michael Saylor's main criticism of the BIP-110 proposal, as mentioned in the article?

AMichael Saylor stated that while he shared the proposal's objectives, he argued that its approach threatened Bitcoin's neutral rules and consensus.

QWhat potential negative consequence did Adam Back warn about regarding the BIP-110 consensus change?

AAdam Back warned that the consensus-level change could damage Bitcoin's credibility and potentially make certain unspent transaction outputs (UTXOs) unspendable.

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