The BIP-110 enforcing branch of Bitcoin has stalled after producing only two blocks, widening the gap with the non-enforcing chain. This development highlights ongoing debates within the community ove
Bitcoin’s latest proposal, BIP-110, aimed at enhancing transaction malleability protection through mandatory signaling has run into significant challenges. As of Sunday, the enforcing branch had stalled at block 961,633 after producing only two blocks, while the non-enforcing chain advanced to 961,721, creating an 88-block gap.
The divergence began when BIP-110 entered mandatory signaling mode at block 961,632 on Saturday. During this period, only 51 out of the preceding 2,016 blocks signaled support for the proposal (just 2.53%). This low level of support indicates a lack of consensus among miners and node operators.
The key figures involved include Roughnecks, a pseudonymous mining group that produced the first two blocks using Ocean’s DATUM protocol. Meanwhile, prominent Bitcoin advocates like Michael Saylor have expressed concerns over BIP-110's approach to maintaining neutral rules within the network. Similarly, Blockstream CEO Adam Back warned of potential damage to Bitcoin’s credibility if certain unspent transaction outputs become unspendable.
Under BIP-110, mandatory signaling continues until block 963,647. For the enforcing branch to progress and adjust its difficulty without further delays, it must mine through the remainder of the current adjustment period. Given the low hashpower support, this process is expected to be slow.
This development underscores ongoing debates within Bitcoin’s community over protocol changes and their impact on network consensus. It highlights a divide between those who favor incremental improvements for security reasons and others who prefer maintaining strict neutrality in the blockchain rules.
Traders should monitor BIP-110's progress closely, as this divergence could affect future mining strategies and investment decisions. The wider gap may influence market sentiment around Bitcoin’s stability and potential regulatory risks.
Source: Cointelegraph. Summarized and rewritten by the Vexoda Newsroom. This is market news, not financial advice.