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.

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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.

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