Everything You Need to Know About Bitcoin Forks

The term "fork" is used in the blockchain technology to describe the event when the blockchain divides into two or more separate paths creating a new cryptocurrency with its own set of rules. The importance of forks lies in the fact that they can lead to the creation of new protocols that improve upon the original blockchain. In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about Bitcoin forks, including their types, attempted forks, benefits and risks, success factors, and post-fork steps.

Hard Forks vs Soft Forks

The difference between hard and soft forks lies in their ability to create new and irreversible protocols or reversible ones. 

Hard forks require a new set of rules that aren't compatible with the original blockchain, leading to the creation of a new cryptocurrency. Examples of hard forks include Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin SV.

Soft forks, on the other hand, create new rules that are compatible with the original chain like Segregated Witness.

Source: steemit.com

Attempted Bitcoin Forks

Over the years, Bitcoin has undergone several forks and updates to improve its overall performance and scalability. However, not all updates were widely accepted in the community, leading to some forks flopping while others gained significant support. Let's look at different hard and soft forks in Bitcoin's history and their impact on the cryptocurrency.

• Bitcoin XT

Bitcoin XT was a proposed hard fork designed to solve the problems with scalability faced by Bitcoin. It offered an increase in the block size limit, from 1 MB to 8 MB, to allow for more transactions per block. This hard fork received significant attention in the community but faced backlash from core contributors, leading to its loss of popularity and eventual abandonment.

• Bitcoin Classic

Launched in 2016, Bitcoin Classic aimed to raise the block size limit to 2 MB to increase the number of transactions and reduce transaction fees. However, the fork lost relevance as other hard forks and updates became more and more popular.

• Bitcoin Unlimited

Also launched in 2016, Bitcoin Unlimited offered users the flexibility to customize the block size limit, paving the way for more significant transactions per block. However, concerns about the potential for network congestion and destabilization led to its lack of acceptance and support from the community.

• Segregated Witness (SegWit)

SegWit was a soft fork that increased Bitcoin's block size limit to accommodate more transactions without increasing the block size itself. It moved the signature data outside of the transaction block, freeing up space and boosting transaction capacity. SegWit laid the foundation for several other hard forks that leveraged its technology to create better-performing cryptocurrencies.

• Bitcoin Cash

Bitcoin Cash is a hard fork that aims to improve Bitcoin's transaction speed and reduce fees. It increases the block size to 8 MB to allow more transactions per block. Despite initial community resistance, it gained traction and now has a large following, even surpassing Bitcoin in transaction speed and user adoption in some areas.

• Bitcoin Gold

Launched in 2017, Bitcoin Gold's mission was to democratize Bitcoin mining and make it more accessible to the general public. The main difference with Bitcoin is the absence of an algorithm that challenges ASIC mining, the hardware used by some miners. It aimed to level the playing field between casual miners and large-scale mining operations.

• SegWit2x

SegWit2x was a hard fork designed to increase Bitcoin's block size from 1 MB to 2 MB to boost transaction capacity. However, the fork was canceled because the community didn't support it.

• Bitcoin SV

Bitcoin SV is a hard fork that resulted from a split in the Bitcoin Cash community in 2018. Its goal is to further increase the block size limit to 128 MB and resolve ongoing issues around scaling and governance. However, the fork has been embroiled in controversy due to its association with the self-proclaimed Satoshi Nakamoto, Craig Steven Wright.

Benefits and Risks of Bitcoin Forks

The benefits of Bitcoin forks include an opportunity to earn free coins, increased user control over the evolution of the blockchain, and the potential for improving scalability and security. However, risks associated with forks include scams, transaction volatility, and the creation of invalid coins. The impact of Bitcoin forks on users and the cryptocurrency market cannot be ignored, either.

Factors Affecting the Success of Bitcoin Forks

Community support, user growth, and evolving protocols are some of the factors that affect the success or failure of a Bitcoin fork. The role of regulation in the success of forks cannot be ignored either, with some countries more supportive than others.

How to Claim Bitcoin Forks Coins

Before claiming a Bitcoin fork, it's important to choose the platform. Choosing the not suitable one could result in lost funds or an unsuccessful claim. When selecting a platform, it’s important to consider the platform's security, reputation, and ease of use. Popular platforms that support Bitcoin forks include Bitfinex, Binance, and Coinbase Pro.

How Bitcoin Fork Developers Record Balances:

Developers of Bitcoin forks use different methods to record balances for their new protocols, and it's important to understand how this is done. Failure to understand these protocols could lead to missed opportunities or lost funds. Developers use qualitative research to support new forks, and they record balances using procedures known as record-keeping and balance tracking.

The Process of Claiming Bitcoin Forks:

The process for claiming Bitcoin forks can vary depending on the fork and the platform being used. However, some general steps can be followed to ensure a successful claim. Before waiting for the fork chain to go live, it's crucial to make preparations like securing your private keys. Trading futures of the forked coin is not recommended as it could make you lose money. Once the chain goes live, you will need to download and synchronize your new wallet and copy the private key of the old wallet and import it into your new wallet.

How to Claim Bitcoin Forks on Third-Party Exchanges or Managed Wallets:

If you hold your Bitcoin on third-party exchanges or managed wallets, you may have to wait for the exchange or wallet provider where to claim bitcoin fork. Before claiming fork coins on third-party platforms, it's important to consider the waiting time, fees, and risks involved. Best practices for claiming fork coins on third-party platforms include conducting thorough research and being cautious.

What to Do with Your New Coins:

As soon as you have successfully got your new coins, there are several possibilities for what you can do with them. You can hold them and wait for their value to appreciate or sell them immediately. It is essential to consider such risks as market volatility and regulatory changes.

Conclusion

Bitcoin forks are an essential part of the cryptocurrency world and can result in significant changes in the market. With hard and soft forks, attempted forks, benefits and risks, success factors, and post-fork steps, it can be challenging to keep up with the evolving cryptocurrency landscape. However, staying informed is key to making informed investment decisions. As the market grows and evolves, there are bound to be new forks and changes that further impact the industry. Stay tuned and keep learning!