Bitcoin Network Split as BIP-110 Nodes Fall Behind by 18 Blocks

The Bitcoin network split into two competing chains on Saturday, with nodes enforcing BIP-110 rules falling behind by 18 blocks.

The divergence occurred at block height 961,632, where AntPool mined a non-signaling block without the required version bit 4 signal. The majority of the network accepted the block, but BIP-110 nodes rejected it and followed a rival block produced through the Ocean pool by Roughnecks.

The minority chain managed to squeeze out two blocks before stalling, while the dominant chain continued at its normal pace. Mining difficulty climbed to 127.48 trillion at the same height, but the chain with limited hashrate behind it struggled to maintain block times.

Luke Dashjr, Ocean's chief technology officer, urged node operators to upgrade their software, warning that older versions left them exposed to double-spending. Michael Saylor argued earlier that the plan had failed to win broad miner support and would fork into irrelevance.