Tomorrow is an Important Day for Bitcoin: Major Changes are Coming!

cryptonews.ruPubblicato 2026-08-29Pubblicato ultima volta 2026-08-29

Introduzione

Tomorrow is a crucial day for Bitcoin, as significant changes to its Proof of Work (PoW) algorithm are on the horizon. Luke Dashjr, a Bitcoin developer and lead figure for the Bitcoin Knots project, has targeted Sunday, August 30th, for a major change that could shift the mining algorithm from SHA-256 to BLAKE2b. Dashjr advised miners using SHA-2 to halt operations on Saturday to prepare for a mainnet rehearsal using Bitcoin Knots version 29.4.1rc4. The plan is to finalize the last SHA-2 block and then, following a signal from a New York Post online publication, initiate a new chain using BLAKE2b. If successful, the final Bitcoin Knots 29.4.1 will launch on September 1st, preserving the blockchain history from August 30th. If issues arise, the system can be reverted to the last SHA-2 block for another attempt. Dashjr also recommended miners prepare on testnet4. This change, specific to Bitcoin Knots adopters and not a network-wide protocol update, could significantly impact current Bitcoin mining ASIC hardware, which is optimized for SHA-256 and cannot directly mine using BLAKE2b, potentially leading to a chain split if not widely adopted.

Luke Dashjr, a Bitcoin developer and leading figure in the Bitcoin Knots project, has named Sunday, August 30th, as the target date for a significant change to the Proof of Work (PoW) algorithm, which could affect Bitcoin's mining algorithm. Dashjr stated that miners using SHA-2 should halt mining on Saturday, as this will be used to prepare for a rehearsal launch of the Bitcoin Knots mainnet version 29.4.1rc4.

According to Dashjr's message, the Bitcoin Knots 29.4.1rc4 version will be configured to fix the final SHA-2 block before the transition. Then, after the online version of the Sunday morning edition of the New York Post is published, a 'canonical blake2b_headline' parameter will be provided, which will be used at the start of the new BLAKE2b-based chain.

Dashjr stated that if the process goes smoothly, the final version of Bitcoin Knots 29.4.1 will be released as planned on September 1st, and the blockchain history created on August 30th will be preserved.

However, the developer stated that if an unforeseen issue arises, the system can be rolled back to the last SHA-2 block and a new attempt made with the rc5 version.

Dashjr also recommended that those who want to start mining from the first day after the changes should prepare in advance on the testnet4 network using the Bitcoin Knots rc3 version.

What Technical Changes are Occurring?

The current Bitcoin Proof of Work system uses the SHA-256 hashing algorithm, which belongs to the SHA-2 family, during mining. Miners perform SHA-256 calculations to create new Bitcoin blocks.

The change mentioned by Dashjr involves using a different hashing algorithm called BLAKE2b in the PoW calculations.

BLAKE2b is a cryptographic function similar to SHA-256 that converts data into fixed-length hash values. However, because the computational structures of these two algorithms are different, most modern Bitcoin mining ASIC devices cannot directly mine using BLAKE2b.

Therefore, if such a change is implemented, it could mean not just a software update; it could also have significant implications for the hardware used by a substantial portion of Bitcoin's mining infrastructure.

The 'final SHA-2 block' Dashjr refers to is the last block generated according to the current SHA-256-based Proof of Work rules.

After this block, nodes using the new rules can begin to follow blocks created with BLAKE2b. However, if other nodes in the Bitcoin network do not adopt this change, the chain could split into two different rule sets.

Therefore, this initiative should not be considered as a final protocol change adopted by the entire Bitcoin network. Dashjr's statement specifically pertains to the planned process for the Bitcoin Knots software and the users who choose to adopt these rules.

*This is not investment advice.

end-content

Domande pertinenti

QWho is Luke Dashjr and what is the project he is a lead figure in?

ALuke Dashjr is a Bitcoin developer and a leading figure in the Bitcoin Knots project.

QWhat is the target date and the nature of the significant change announced for the Bitcoin Proof of Work algorithm?

AThe target date is Sunday, August 30th, for a significant change to the Proof of Work (PoW) algorithm, potentially affecting Bitcoin's mining algorithm.

QWhat are the two different hashing algorithms mentioned in the context of the proposed PoW change?

AThe two hashing algorithms are the currently used SHA-256 (from the SHA-2 family) and the proposed BLAKE2b algorithm.

QWhat potential issue is highlighted for existing Bitcoin mining hardware if the change to BLAKE2b is implemented?

AMost modern Bitcoin ASIC mining devices cannot directly mine using BLAKE2b due to its different computational structure, which could have serious implications for the existing mining infrastructure.

QAccording to the article, what should happen to the blockchain history created on August 30th if the process goes smoothly?

AIf the process goes smoothly, the blockchain history created on August 30th is planned to be preserved upon the final release of Bitcoin Knots 29.4.1 on September 1st.

Letture associate

Avici Commits to Fully Compensate Users as Hackers Move to New Victims

Neobank Avici has committed to fully compensating users affected by an August 28th hack that drained approximately $500,859 from 1,685 user cards. The exploit, linked to a flawed Solana smart contract, allowed an attacker to withdraw funds. Following the attack, Avici's native token plummeted nearly 40%. Separately, on August 29th, the Ethereum lending protocol Ajna suffered a $775,000 loss due to a liquidation accounting exploit. This comes amid a costly year for audited protocols; a 2026 report notes over 245 crypto security incidents from January 2025 to July 2026, resulting in $3.63 billion in losses, with 88.44% stemming from attacks on audited projects.

cryptonews.ru1 h fa

Avici Commits to Fully Compensate Users as Hackers Move to New Victims

cryptonews.ru1 h fa

Sberbank prepares loans backed by cryptocurrency: Ethereum and Tether on the list

Sberbank is preparing to expand its cryptocurrency-backed loan program. Initially accepting only Bitcoin as collateral, the bank plans to later include Ethereum and the stablecoin Tether. This expansion, however, is contingent on receiving approval from the Central Bank of Russia for their public circulation. According to Anatoly Popov, Deputy Chairman of the bank's board, cryptocurrency in this scheme serves not as a payment method but as collateral for a traditional banking product. The bank emphasizes the importance of asset liquidity, transparent valuation, and regulatory status before any digital token can be used in such transactions. Sberbank, which already has practical experience with crypto instruments, aims to adapt existing products and expand its offerings once the necessary regulatory norms come into force. This model links traditional bank financing with digital assets, where the collateral provides security for the lender under standard civil law procedures. The approach is distinct from decentralized finance (DeFi) models, with regulatory permission being the key prerequisite, similar to practices in major markets like the European Union.

cryptonews.ru1 h fa

Sberbank prepares loans backed by cryptocurrency: Ethereum and Tether on the list

cryptonews.ru1 h fa

The $775,000 Ajna Exploit Reveals Risks Beyond DeFi's Price Oracles

Ajna Protocol, a non-custodial lending platform designed to operate without price oracles or governance, reportedly lost approximately $775,000 in ETH. The attacker exploited the platform's internal system for liquidations rather than manipulating external price feeds. The exploit targeted several liquidity pools, including syrupUSDC, wstETH, and WBTC. Ajna's core philosophy removes traditional oracles, relying instead on lenders and borrowers to set rates and determine loan health, with liquidation penalties for false triggers. The attacker focused on manipulating the protocol's own liquidation accounting logic. A security alert was reportedly issued over an hour before the attack but was not acted upon in time. The loss was significant relative to Ajna's Total Value Locked (TVL), which stood around $206,000 at the time. Post-attack data shows Ajna V2's TVL at approximately $449,783, with active loans at $30,198. While smaller compared to major 2026 crypto hacks, this incident highlights a key DeFi security challenge: financial loss can stem from exploiting assumptions in complex smart contract logic, not just from large-scale exchange breaches or oracle failures.

cryptonews.ru1 h fa

The $775,000 Ajna Exploit Reveals Risks Beyond DeFi's Price Oracles

cryptonews.ru1 h fa

Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) adds SBCFX and related companies Star Bridge Capital to its alert list for unlicensed operations

Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has placed SBCFX and related entities, including Star Bridge Capital Group, on its alert list for unlicensed operations. This follows reports of significant trading losses tied to SBCFX during a London gold market crash in late August 2026, which reportedly wiped out the USDT-stablecoin accounts of thousands of retail investors. The SFC warning emphasizes that these entities are neither licensed nor registered to conduct regulated activities in Hong Kong, offering no SFC protections to local clients. While SBCFX cites operating licenses from Australian, South African, and Seychelles regulators, these do not permit operations in Hong Kong. The incident highlights growing regulatory challenges involving high-leverage algorithmic trading and the use of crypto deposits like USDT in OTC derivatives. The report notes that recovering such stablecoin assets can be particularly difficult, even with issuer intervention, due to the peer-to-peer nature of transactions and blockchain complexities.

cryptonews.ru1 h fa

Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) adds SBCFX and related companies Star Bridge Capital to its alert list for unlicensed operations

cryptonews.ru1 h fa

Helius CEO Secured Votes in Final Moments Necessary to Reduce Inflation on Solana Network

Solana validators passed governance proposal SGP-0002, titled "Double Disinflation," by a narrow margin. The proposal reduces the network's inflation rate by accelerating the disinflation pace from -15% to -30%. In the final hours of voting, the proposal secured support from validators representing 67% of the vote (176.29 million SOL), surpassing the required threshold. Mert Mumtaz, CEO of Helius, played a pivotal role in rallying last-minute support. He had previously criticized validators for voting "no" under the "false pretense" it would preserve their staking yield, calling this logic "mathematical nonsense." However, some validators, like Everstake, opposed the change due to concerns about its pace and potential impact on smaller validators and overall network participation. After intense lobbying, including swaying major entities like Kraken to change their votes, the proposal passed "by a hair." Two other proposals were also voted on: the Solana Constitution (SGP-0001) passed comfortably, while SGP-0003, proposing a new transaction fee model with a burn percentage, was rejected.

cryptonews.ru1 h fa

Helius CEO Secured Votes in Final Moments Necessary to Reduce Inflation on Solana Network

cryptonews.ru1 h fa

Trading

Spot