If you’re new to bitcoin you may be going, what the heck is a fork? And what’s it got to do with bitcoin?
Well, it’s essentially a software change of the digital currency. And it creates two versions of the blockchain. Both have the same history, but new futures from the time of the fork.
The most well-known example is when Bitcoin Cash forked from Bitcoin this past August 1. Another recent hard fork was Bitcoin Gold from bitcoin on October 24.
If you own bitcoin you should pay attention to the forks. As an owner you get a match of the new coin. It’s like a crypto dividend. And there’s more bitcoin forks on the way.
First up is Bitcoin Diamond (BCD). It actually forked on November 24 but doesn’t look to be trading yet. According to coinmarketcap the BCD futures are going for about $48 right now. That may not seem like a lot but according to this you get 10 BCD for every 1 BTC you own.
Next up is Super Bitcoin (SBTC). For this one the snapshot took place at block 498888, which was December 12. According to coinmarketcap the SBTC is going for about $252 right now.
Next is BitcoinX (BCX). This one also had a snapshot that took place at block 498888, which was December 12. This looks like another one where you’ll get 10 BCX for every 1 BTC and the BCX futures are currently trading for $0.06.
There’s also Bitcoin Platinum (BTP) that forked on December 12. But according to this it’s a scam.
Next up is Lightning Bitcoin (LBTC) which plans to fork at block 499,999, which is estimated to occur around December 23. No price on this one yet.
As the new year roles in we’ll get Bitcoin Cash Plus (BCP) at block 501,407 which should occur around January 2. No price on this one yet.
There’s also talks of Bitcoin Silver (BTCS), Bitcoin Uranium (BUM), and Bitcoin Atom (BCA).
And for Christmas we’re supposedly getting Bitcoin God from Chandler Guo.
Don’t expect it to stop. Check out the fork history of Linux below, which has been around since 1991.
Forks on forks on forks.
May the fork be with you.
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