Crypto Founder Shares Critical Warning About Bitcoin, Here’s What He Said

bitcoinistPublished on 2026-05-12Last updated on 2026-05-12

Abstract

Bitcoin's long-term security and mining economy are under scrutiny after Avalanche founder Emin Gün Sirer warned of a critical challenge: declining block rewards from halvings could make mining unprofitable. He argues this threatens network security by potentially forcing smaller miners out, increasing centralization risks. While transaction fees may become miners' primary income, high fees could deter users. Sirer proposes integrating an Avalanche-based transaction layer to improve efficiency and ease pressure on Bitcoin's core system. However, this faces opposition from a community resistant to major changes. The debate continues on whether rising Bitcoin prices and transaction activity will naturally resolve the issue or if proactive solutions are needed.

Bitcoin is currently at the center of a debate after Avalanche founder Emin Gün Sirer raised concerns about the network’s long-term security and mining economy. In a recent X post shared on May 10, 2026, the crypto founder argued that BTC could eventually face a serious challenge tied to declining miner incentives. His comments have quickly sparked discussions on what this could mean for Bitcoin’s future stability.

Bitcoin Mining Pressure Builds

The warning from the crypto founder centered on a growing concern that has followed Bitcoin for years but is now attracting renewed attention as block rewards continue to shrink. Bitcoin miners currently secure the network by verifying transactions and maintaining the blockchain through energy-intensive mining operations. In return, miners receive newly issued BTC alongside transaction fees.

However, Bitcoin’s halving system cuts mining rewards in half every four years. While this system helps control BTC’s supply and supports its scarcity, it also reduces the amount miners earn over time. Sirer warned that this could eventually create a difficult situation for BTC where mining rewards are no longer enough to cover the high costs of electricity, equipment, and mining operations.

The concern becomes more significant because Bitcoin’s security depends heavily on miner participation. If mining becomes less profitable over time, smaller mining firms could struggle to survive, potentially forcing some operators out of the market. This could reduce competition among miners and increase centralization risks, something critics have warned about for years.

The Avalanche founder also pointed toward a future where transaction fees may eventually become the main source of income for miners. However, that could create another challenge if fees become too expensive for everyday users or fail to generate enough revenue to maintain strong network security.

Crypto Founder Suggests New Direction For BTC

As discussions around the warning grew, attention also turned to the solution proposed by the crypto founder. Sirer suggested that BTC could eventually use an extra transaction layer connected to Avalanche technology before transactions are fully completed on the Bitcoin network.

The goal of the idea is to reduce pressure on Bitcoin’s current system while helping transactions move through a faster and more efficient verification process. Even though the technology behind it is complex, supporters believe it could help BTC handle future challenges linked to declining mining rewards and growing network demands.

However, the proposal may not easily gain support from the BTC community. Many long-time BTC supporters are known for opposing major changes to the network, especially when outside technologies or different consensus systems are involved.

Even so, the warning highlights a broader concern already being discussed across the crypto industry. Some investors believe Bitcoin’s increasing price and future transaction activity could eventually solve the problem naturally. Others believe declining miner rewards could become a serious long-term issue if solutions are not presented early enough.

BTC price moves toward $80,000 | Source: BTCUSD on Tradingview.com

Related Questions

QWhat is the main concern raised by Avalanche founder Emin Gün Sirer about Bitcoin?

AThe main concern raised is that Bitcoin could eventually face a serious challenge due to declining miner incentives, which may threaten the network's long-term security and mining economy.

QHow does Bitcoin's halving system contribute to the potential problem described in the article?

ABitcoin's halving system cuts mining rewards in half every four years. This gradual reduction in block rewards could make mining less profitable over time, potentially making it difficult for miners to cover their operational costs and threatening network security.

QWhat potential consequence does the article mention if mining becomes less profitable?

AIf mining becomes less profitable, smaller mining firms could struggle to survive, potentially leading to reduced competition among miners and an increased risk of centralization within the Bitcoin network.

QWhat solution did Emin Gün Sirer propose to address Bitcoin's challenges?

AHe suggested that Bitcoin could use an extra transaction layer connected to Avalanche technology to process transactions before they are finalized on the Bitcoin network. This aims to reduce pressure on the current system and enable faster, more efficient verification.

QWhy might Sirer's proposed solution face resistance from the Bitcoin community?

AThe proposal might face resistance because many long-time Bitcoin supporters are known for opposing major changes to the network's core structure, especially those that involve integrating outside technologies or different consensus systems.

Related Reads

Wall Street's 'Compliance Hunt': The Great Stablecoin Reserve Migration

In a concentrated move over the past week, several Wall Street giants have advanced their tokenized money market fund initiatives, signaling a strategic shift driven by impending U.S. stablecoin regulations. JPMorgan Chase launched its second such fund, JLTXX, on Ethereum, explicitly targeting future stablecoin issuer reserve needs. Concurrently, Franklin Templeton partnered with Kraken to integrate its BENJI tokenized funds onto the exchange platform for use as collateral and cash management tools. BlackRock further solidified its position by filing for two new tokenized funds with the SEC, aiming to convert its massive traditional stablecoin custody business into a tokenized model. These parallel developments represent a multi-pronged institutional "compliance hunt" to capture future crypto liquidity. BlackRock and JPMorgan are focusing on the backend, preparing to serve as the core reserve and settlement infrastructure for compliant stablecoins as outlined by the GENIUS Act. This act defines strict "qualified reserve asset" requirements for stablecoin backing while prohibiting interest payments to holders. Franklin Templeton and Kraken, however, are exploiting a potential regulatory gap. By offering a tokenized fund (BENJI) that is not a stablecoin, they aim to provide yield-bearing, collateralizable digital cash instruments, circumventing GENIUS Act's ban on stablecoin yield. The impending CLARITY Act, which will delineate digital asset market structure, is seen as a complementary piece to GENIUS. Its treatment of passive income could solidify the niche for instruments like BENJI. With conservative market size estimates for tokenized money market funds reaching hundreds of billions by 2030, Wall Street institutions are positioning themselves early, using on-chain settlement as a key competitive differentiator to offer superior liquidity and composability for the next generation of dollar reserves.

marsbit45m ago

Wall Street's 'Compliance Hunt': The Great Stablecoin Reserve Migration

marsbit45m ago

Altman Drops Bombshell While Musk is Away: He Once Wanted His Children to Inherit OpenAI

In a California court, Sam Altman testified for the first time in the ongoing legal battle between Elon Musk and OpenAI. Altman made a striking claim: Musk once suggested that control of OpenAI could one day be passed down to his children. This statement reframes the long-standing conflict not as a simple governance dispute but as a foundational power struggle. Altman sought to counter the narrative that OpenAI betrayed its original non-profit, idealistic mission. He argued that from the beginning, it was Musk who sought increasing control over the organization, including a larger equity stake and ultimate decision-making authority. Altman opposed this, citing OpenAI's core principle that AGI should not be controlled by any single individual. He also addressed the key point of contention about OpenAI's shift to a for-profit structure, claiming Musk was aware of and initially supportive of exploring such a model to secure the massive funding needed for advanced AI research. Altman framed the change as a practical necessity, not a betrayal. Further testimony revealed internal concerns after Musk left OpenAI's board, with worries he might take retaliatory action. Altman critiqued Musk's management style as unsuitable for a research lab, damaging morale and culture. Throughout his testimony, Altman's focus appeared to shift from technological idealism to the realities of organizational governance and resource requirements. Regarding his brief ouster in 2023, Altman stated he seriously considered joining Microsoft but ultimately returned because OpenAI was too important to abandon.

marsbit1h ago

Altman Drops Bombshell While Musk is Away: He Once Wanted His Children to Inherit OpenAI

marsbit1h ago

Trading

Spot
Futures

Hot Articles

What is $BITCOIN

DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): A Comprehensive Analysis Introduction to DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a blockchain-based project operating on the Solana network, which aims to combine the characteristics of traditional precious metals with the innovation of decentralized technologies. While it shares a name with Bitcoin, often referred to as “digital gold” due to its perception as a store of value, DIGITAL GOLD is a separate token designed to create a unique ecosystem within the Web3 landscape. Its goal is to position itself as a viable alternative digital asset, although specifics regarding its applications and functionalities are still developing. What is DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a cryptocurrency token explicitly designed for use on the Solana blockchain. In contrast to Bitcoin, which provides a widely recognized value storage role, this token appears to focus on broader applications and characteristics. Notable aspects include: Blockchain Infrastructure: The token is built on the Solana blockchain, known for its capacity to handle high-speed and low-cost transactions. Supply Dynamics: DIGITAL GOLD has a maximum supply capped at 100 quadrillion tokens (100P $BITCOIN), although details regarding its circulating supply are currently undisclosed. Utility: While precise functionalities are not explicitly outlined, there are indications that the token could be utilized for various applications, potentially involving decentralized applications (dApps) or asset tokenization strategies. Who is the Creator of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? At present, the identity of the creators and development team behind DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) remains unknown. This situation is typical among many innovative projects within the blockchain space, particularly those aligning with decentralized finance and meme coin phenomena. While such anonymity may foster a community-driven culture, it intensifies concerns about governance and accountability. Who are the Investors of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? The available information indicates that DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) does not have any known institutional backers or prominent venture capital investments. The project seems to operate on a peer-to-peer model focused on community support and adoption rather than traditional funding routes. Its activity and liquidity are primarily situated on decentralized exchanges (DEXs), such as PumpSwap, rather than established centralized trading platforms, further highlighting its grassroots approach. How DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) Works The operational mechanics of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) can be elaborated on based on its blockchain design and network attributes: Consensus Mechanism: By leveraging Solana’s unique proof-of-history (PoH) combined with a proof-of-stake (PoS) model, the project ensures efficient transaction validation contributing to the network's high performance. Tokenomics: While specific deflationary mechanisms have not been extensively detailed, the vast maximum token supply implies that it may cater to microtransactions or niche use cases that are still to be defined. Interoperability: There exists the potential for integration with Solana’s broader ecosystem, including various decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. However, the details regarding specific integrations remain unspecified. Timeline of Key Events Here is a timeline that highlights significant milestones concerning DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): 2023: The initial deployment of the token occurs on the Solana blockchain, marked by its contract address. 2024: DIGITAL GOLD gains visibility as it becomes available for trading on decentralized exchanges like PumpSwap, allowing users to trade it against SOL. 2025: The project witnesses sporadic trading activity and potential interest in community-led engagements, although no noteworthy partnerships or technical advancements have been documented as of yet. Critical Analysis Strengths Scalability: The underlying Solana infrastructure supports high transaction volumes, which could enhance the utility of $BITCOIN in various transaction scenarios. Accessibility: The potential low trading price per token could attract retail investors, facilitating wider participation due to fractional ownership opportunities. Risks Lack of Transparency: The absence of publicly known backers, developers, or an audit process may yield skepticism regarding the project's sustainability and trustworthiness. Market Volatility: The trading activity is heavily reliant on speculative behavior, which can result in significant price volatility and uncertainty for investors. Conclusion DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) emerges as an intriguing yet ambiguous project within the rapidly evolving Solana ecosystem. While it attempts to leverage the “digital gold” narrative, its departure from Bitcoin's established role as a store of value underscores the need for a clearer differentiation of its intended utility and governance structure. Future acceptance and adoption will likely depend on addressing the current opacity and defining its operational and economic strategies more explicitly. Note: This report encompasses synthesised information available as of October 2023, and developments may have transpired beyond the research period.

363 Total ViewsPublished 2025.05.13Updated 2025.05.13

What is $BITCOIN

Discussions

Welcome to the HTX Community. Here, you can stay informed about the latest platform developments and gain access to professional market insights. Users' opinions on the price of BTC (BTC) are presented below.

活动图片