The upcoming Bitcoin Cash (BCH) protocol upgrade on November 15 has sparked significant discussion—and confusion—among cryptocurrency exchanges, wallet providers, and service platforms. In response to growing inquiries, the Bitcoin SV project team is issuing a clear advisory to clarify misconceptions and highlight critical risks associated with coin splitting during this contentious upgrade period.
Bitcoin SV is not a new cryptocurrency or token. It is a full-node implementation of Bitcoin Cash designed to give miners more control over consensus rules—aligning closely with the original vision laid out in Satoshi Nakamoto’s white paper. The future of BCH will ultimately be determined by miner hash power, not corporate endorsements or exchange listings.
What Is Bitcoin SV?
Bitcoin SV (Satoshi Vision) is a robust, scalable full-node client for the Bitcoin Cash network. Its primary goal is to restore the original protocol rules of Bitcoin as described by Satoshi Nakamoto, emphasizing stability, massive on-chain scaling, and enterprise-grade functionality.
Contrary to misleading claims from supporters of competing implementations like Bitcoin ABC, Bitcoin SV does not introduce a new token. There is no need for exchanges to "list BSV" as a separate asset. Instead, Bitcoin SV offers an alternative set of consensus rules that BCH miners can adopt based on their preference.
In a true decentralized system, it is the miners—not developers, exchanges, or influencers—who decide which chain becomes dominant through their computational power. This process, known as Nakamoto Consensus, ensures that the most supported chain survives.
👉 Discover how blockchain consensus shapes the future of digital assets.
Miner Support for Bitcoin SV
As of November 14, data from Coin.dance indicates that 72–78% of the total BCH network hash power supports Bitcoin SV, while Bitcoin ABC holds only 12–22%. Bitcoin Unlimited remains neutral and compatible with both rule sets, currently ranking third.
This overwhelming miner support suggests that Bitcoin SV is positioned to become the dominant BCH implementation following the November 15 upgrade. However, due to the contentious nature of this fork, uncertainty remains during the initial phase.
Service providers must recognize that hash dominance does not happen instantly—it builds over time. Premature decisions based on speculation rather than sustained mining activity could expose users to unnecessary risk.
Coin Splitting Advisory: Critical Risks You Must Understand
Several exchanges and custodial services have announced plans to split BCH balances into "BCH-SV" and "BCH-ABC" tokens immediately after the fork. While well-intentioned, such actions carry serious technical dangers that could result in irreversible loss of funds.
We strongly advise caution.
Recommended Best Practices
- For Users: Do Nothing—Wait It Out
The safest strategy for individual holders is to keep BCH in a self-controlled wallet and take no action. Once the network stabilizes and one chain emerges dominant, your coins will remain secure on that chain. Interfering prematurely increases the risk of losing access. - Avoid Using Specialized Opcodes for Splitting
Techniques involvingOP_CHECKDATASIG,OP_MUL, or similar opcodes are highly unreliable. These operations behave differently across chains, and transactions may be accepted on both sides—leading to coins existing on two chains but being unspendable on one. This effectively burns value. - Script Obfuscation Methods Are Unsafe
Some tools attempt to hide opcodes within unexecuted branches of scripts to trick interpreters. These methods are not only complex but also vulnerable to future changes in node behavior. Even if they work today, backward compatibility is not guaranteed. - Use Chain-Specific Inputs If Splitting Is Necessary
The only relatively safe method for splitting involves combining pre-fork coins with inputs mined after the chain split—since those outputs exist on only one chain. This approach minimizes cross-chain replay risks but still requires expert-level execution.
Additional Guidance for Exchanges and Service Providers
To protect users and maintain platform integrity, we offer the following recommendations:
- No Replay Protection: Neither Bitcoin ABC nor Bitcoin SV includes transaction replay protection. Any transaction broadcast on one chain may be valid on the other, risking unintended double-spends.
- Uncertain Timeline for Chain Dominance: Unlike previous smooth upgrades, this fork is highly contentious. It may take days or even weeks before one chain clearly dominates through sustained hash power.
- Consider Suspending Deposits and Withdrawals: Until a clear winner emerges, temporarily halting BCH deposits, withdrawals, and trading can prevent user losses due to replay attacks or invalid transactions.
👉 Learn how secure wallet practices protect digital assets during network forks.
Remain Neutral—Support User Choice
Exchanges and service providers should avoid taking public stances in favor of any particular BCH implementation. Publicly endorsing one chain over another undermines decentralization and exposes your platform to reputational and legal risk.
Instead, adopt a neutral position—just like Bitfinex, which stated:
“We will not advocate for or against any particular fork, and miners have full prerogative to commit their hashing power to whichever projects they choose.”
Neutrality protects your users' interests and allows the market to decide organically.
However, neutrality does not mean inaction. We strongly recommend installing a Bitcoin SV full node now so your platform can support BCH seamlessly if SV becomes dominant. Code and documentation are available at BitcoinSV.io and its GitHub repository.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Bitcoin SV creating a new cryptocurrency?
A: No. Bitcoin SV is a full-node implementation of Bitcoin Cash, not a new token. It provides miners with an alternative set of consensus rules.
Q: Should exchanges list “BSV” as a new coin?
A: No. Listing BSV as a separate asset before hash dominance is established creates confusion and risk. Wait until the market decides through mining activity.
Q: Can I lose my coins during the split?
A: Yes—if you use unsafe splitting methods or rely on platforms that implement flawed replay protection. Keeping coins in a private wallet until resolution is safest.
Q: Why is miner hash power so important?
A: Because Bitcoin is secured by proof-of-work. The chain with the most sustained hash power becomes the legitimate continuation of the network.
Q: What should exchanges do right now?
A: Remain neutral, monitor hash distribution, prepare a Bitcoin SV node, and consider pausing BCH services until one chain clearly dominates.
Q: Is there replay protection between BCH-SV and BCH-ABC?
A: No. Transactions can be replayed across both chains, making unsynchronized transactions risky.
Final Thoughts: Let Miners Decide
The core principle of Bitcoin is decentralization through miner consensus. The Bitcoin SV team believes firmly in this model. Rather than influencing outcomes through marketing or exchange listings, we trust that sustained hash power will determine the true future of Bitcoin Cash.
For exchanges, wallets, and service providers, the best path forward is preparation without prejudice. Stay informed, stay neutral, and prioritize user safety above all.
👉 Explore tools and insights for navigating blockchain upgrades securely.