CryptoMediumUpdated×9•Originally published 8 August 2026•Updated 9 August 2026•
1 min read

Bitcoin Network Splits as BIP-110 Fork Materializes at Block 961632

Bitcoin coin above a control panel with 'Standard Rules' and 'BIP-110 Nodes' paths on an orange background.

Key Facts

1Mandatory signaling for BIP-110 begins today, placing the network at risk of a blockchain split during a live test.
2Block 961632 is identified as the decisive point for the BIP-110 showdown, expected within hours.

In a dramatic turn for cryptocurrency governance, the Bitcoin network has undergone a formal chain split at block height 961632 following the activation of BIP-110. According to analyst reports, the split materialized after the network failed to maintain a unified consensus, resulting in two competing blockchains. Key facts confirm that the BIP-110 splinter chain has already fallen 18 blocks behind the main chain, signaling a significant disparity in mining hash power between the two factions.

Technical data shows that the Roughnecks mining pool, aligned with the new proposal, successfully mined a second block at height 961633, while the main chain surged ahead to block 961651. This widening gap in block production highlights the lack of broad support for the splinter chain compared to the original protocol. The market is now assessing the viability of the new chain as it struggles to maintain technical pace with the primary Bitcoin network.

Looking ahead, the focus shifts to network stability and how exchanges will handle the two competing assets in the coming hours. With no major events in the upcoming 7-day economic calendar, the evolution of this chain split remains the sole catalyst for Bitcoin's near-term outlook.

Latest Updates · 5

  1. Notable·

    Update: Subsequent data reveals that miner support for the BIP-110 splinter chain stood at only 2.53% at the time of activation. This low level of support accounts for the significant lag in block production compared to the primary Bitcoin network.

  2. Notable·

    Update: Recent reports indicate that the BIP-110 splinter chain has effectively stalled after miners failed to produce more than two blocks since the split. The combination of low hashpower and high inherited mining difficulty has left the minority branch hours behind the main Bitcoin network, making its long-term viability increasingly unlikely.

  3. Major·

    Update: The Bitcoin network has officially reached block height 961,632, marking the actual commencement of the BIP-110 soft fork attempt. According to reports, the proposal faces significant headwinds due to scant support among miners and explicit opposition from influential industry commentators, further heightening the risk of a chain split.

  4. Notable·

    Update: Developer Paul Sztorc, creator of the Drivechain proposal, has announced that the Bitcoin ECX hard fork will be executed in three distinct stages through October. The first phase of this rollout is scheduled to begin on August 23, 2026, providing a more extended timeline for the network to manage the technical transition.

  5. Notable·

    Update: Additional security concerns have emerged regarding the risk of replay attacks targeting Bitcoin holders ahead of the potential split. According to reports, this technical threat adds a layer of complexity for end-users, necessitating extra caution during transactions until network stability is confirmed.