TLDR
A small group of developers has revived a minority Bitcoin fork that switches to Blake2b mining and caps block size at about 300 kilobytes, leaving the main Bitcoin chain unchanged.
- BIP-110 supporters split from Bitcoin at block 961,632 and restarted their Blake2b-based bitcoin-blake2b chain with a 300 kB block limit.
- The fork aims to reduce non-payment data on-chain and close perceived mining loopholes, but has almost no exchange support or hash power.
- For typical BTC users, this is currently a niche experiment to watch, not an event that affects their main-chain coins or transactions.
Deep Dive
1. What Changed In The Minority Fork
Reports from multiple outlets say BIP-110 supporters revived their minority fork in late August 2026, restarting a chain that had previously stalled after splitting from Bitcoin at block height 961,632. The relaunch moved proof of work from SHA-256d to Blake2b and imposed a roughly 300 kB block size cap, described as 800,000 weight units, on the new chains blocks.BIP-110 minority fork
This forked chain is not recognized as Bitcoin by most of the ecosystem. Commentators describe it as an incompatible blockchain with its own asset, sometimes referred to as bitcoin-blake2b, and note that it is unlisted on major exchanges and price aggregators.BLAKE2b fork analysis
The fork exists, but it currently sits outside the economic and infrastructure reality of main-chain BTC.
2. Why Cut Block Size And Change PoW
Developers behind BIP-110 have long argued that Bitcoin blocks should be smaller to restrict non-payment data and keep node operation lighter. The 300 kB cap drastically reduces block space compared with the main chain, limiting transaction throughput and making fees more sensitive to congestion.
The switch to Blake2b and a new header format is presented as a security and fairness upgrade, aiming to remove SHA-256d-specific issues such as ASICBoost and certain block-withholding strategies.BLAKE2b fork analysis
This approach is controversial. Critics, including prominent Bitcoin historians and engineers, view it as abandoning Bitcoins established consensus rather than just tweaking parameters, shifting it into new chain territory rather than a standard upgrade.
3. Practical Impact And What To Watch
On current information, the Blake2b minority chain has very limited miner support, collapsed hashrate, and no major exchange listings.BIP-110 minority fork Main-chain Bitcoin continues under its existing rules, with SHA-256d proof of work and much larger effective block capacity.
For everyday BTC holders and users, funds and transactions on the main chain are not affected. The main practical risk is confusion: sending coins to addresses on the minority chain, or mistaking its asset for BTC, could strand value in a thin, illiquid ecosystem.
Going forward, the useful signals to watch are: whether any significant mining pools or exchanges decide to support the minority chain, and whether its block size and data policies influence future proposals on the main Bitcoin network.
Conclusion
The 300 kB block size cut happens on a niche Blake2b fork, not on Bitcoins main chain, and currently has little economic weight. Its real importance is as a live experiment in stricter block space and alternative proof of work, which may shape arguments about Bitcoin governance and block policy more than it changes how BTC actually works for users today.
