Bitcoin developer Paul Sztorc has announced the launch of a hard fork of the first cryptocurrency network called eCash. The deployment of this alternative blockchain is scheduled for August 2026.
BREAKING: New Bitcoin Fork
— Paul Sztorc (@Truthcoin) April 24, 2026
I am helping create a **new Bitcoin Hardfork** — dropping this August, called "eCash".
— Your coins will split. For example, if you have 4.19 BTC, then you will get 4.19 eCash.
— You may sell your eCash — or keep it. Or ignore it!
Vegas:
— Yes, I…
According to the announcement, the project is envisioned as a "clean" reboot of Bitcoin while maintaining the core architecture of the network. BTC holders at the time of the snapshot will receive new coins at a 1:1 ratio.
"You can sell your eCash, keep it, or ignore it," Sztorc noted.
What We Know About eCash
The developer stated that the blockchain will use a nearly unchanged codebase from the Bitcoin Core client and will retain the SHA-256 consensus algorithm. However, the mining difficulty will initially be reset to a "minimum value".
The project will support L2 infrastructure in the form of drivechains. Sztorc is the author of the concept for these solutions, but his proposals BIP-300 and BIP-301 have not gained widespread support after years of discussion.
The programmer mentioned that seven drivechains are in development, including a privacy-oriented one styled after Zcash. Other planned L2 solutions include Truthcoin (prediction markets), CoinShift (decentralized exchange), BitAssets (NFT and other assets), BitNames (identity), and quantum-resistant Photon.
Sztorc emphasized that he intentionally omitted the word Bitcoin from the network's name to distance it from the fate of the BCH fork in 2017.
In his view, the new blockchain offers a "consistent and sustainable solution to Bitcoin's problems," unlike Bitcoin Cash.
"In 2017, the BTC tech stack was strong, as were the expectations for the Lightning [Network]. Today, it's the opposite," Sztorc believes.
Controversial Decision
The creator of eCash announced the distribution of part (up to half) of approximately 1.1 million BTC stored in so-called Patoshi miner wallets. These coins are attributed to Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto, but their true owner remains unknown.
This idea has drawn sharp criticism from some community members, who view the initiative as a violation of the fundamental principle of property immutability.
Outside of whatever drama may unfold:
— Peter McCormack 🏴☠️🇬🇧🇮🇪 (@PeterMcCormack) April 24, 2026
1. Taking Satoshi coins is theft and disrespectful.
2. eCash is already used for Lightning payments with Cashu and Fedi.
Those are poor choices.
"Taking Satoshi's coins is theft and disrespectful. Moreover, eCash is already used for Lightning payments in Cashu and Fedi. This is a poor choice," wrote podcaster Peter McCormack.
One user questioned what would happen to the "Patoshi coins" if their true owner is discovered later.
Sztorc acknowledged that the decision regarding the assets is controversial but called it "ideal." The coin distribution allows for investor involvement in the fork and launches it as a "ready project," rather than another "zombie network," the developer emphasized.
"I give you two or three years until complete collapse, while I finally try drivechains on Bitcoin, but without a fork using the most inefficient scripting stuff," commented a user under the nickname PacoVM.
Recall that in April, the community was outraged by a radical plan to protect Bitcoin from quantum computers. Proposed by Casa founder Jason Lowery and a group of experts, the BIP-361 initiative suggests freezing vulnerable coins.