ECX Launch Split Into Three Stages: Alpha, Beta, and Full Release
The upcoming Bitcoin hard fork known as ECX will now launch in three stages, rather than all at once on August 23. Paul Sztorc, the developer behind the Drivechain proposal and BIP 300, announced this change on August 7.
The alpha version of ECX will activate on August 23 at block 963648, followed by a beta version on September 20 at block 967680. The permanent release is scheduled for October 31 at block 973728.
Sztorc cited several reasons for the staged approach, including giving the project time to work through software issues and allowing the market to settle on an early price for ECX before the network's mining difficulty locks in.
The replay protection mechanism remains opt-in rather than automatic. Sztorc warned that users who ignore this warning will have their transactions replayed.