# Who Controls Bitcoin? The BIP-110 vs UASF Power Struggle How the battle between miners and validating nodes shapes Bitcoin's future - **Source:** [Bitcoin Audible](https://brifing.si/source/9d46a487-fc52-44f1-800d-adb267943891) - **Published:** 2026-08-20 - **Topic:** [Finance](https://brifing.si/c/finance) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d23c0433-e844-4f4b-a7b7-5a35fe487bdf ## Who Really Controls Bitcoin? Bitcoin's decision-making processes rely on a complex interplay between miners and validating nodes. The rejection of BIP-110 has brought these power dynamics back into focus. While miners have the power to confirm transactions, node approval is required for protocol changes. This system is designed to preserve Bitcoin's decentralized nature. ## Why BIP-110 Failed Proposed in 2017, BIP-110 aimed to increase block size but failed to gain sufficient network-wide support. This rejection demonstrated that large mining pools and institutional investors don't have absolute control over Bitcoin. The requirement for broad consensus on changes remains a fundamental defense mechanism of the network. ## The Success of UASF and SegWit User Activated Soft Fork (UASF) played a critical role in implementing the SegWit upgrade. Despite miner resistance, it succeeded through node operator support and community pressure. This process serves as an important example of Bitcoin's decentralized governance model in action. ## The New York Agreement and Its Aftermath The 2017 New York Agreement was an attempt by major mining pools to change Bitcoin's protocol. Without community support, this initiative failed. The event proved that hash power alone isn't enough to determine Bitcoin's direction. ## Why UASF Worked UASF's success lay in the proper alignment of economic incentives. Node operators had the power to economically punish miners who didn't support the upgrade. This mechanism forms one of the cornerstones of Bitcoin's security model and maintains decentralization. ## Current State and Changing Dynamics The professionalization of mining and increasing institutional influence have raised concerns in recent years. However, examples like BIP-110's rejection show that broad community consensus is still required for fundamental protocol changes. Bitcoin's power structure continues to function as designed. ## Bitcoin's Defense Mechanisms Bitcoin's power structure is designed to prevent any single group from controlling the network. The balance between miners, node operators, and users is critical for the system's sustainability. The rejection of BIP-110 proves these mechanisms are working as intended. ## Key Takeaways for Bitcoin's Future The BIP-110 and UASF experiences highlight the vital role of community consensus in preserving Bitcoin's decentralized nature. Despite growing institutional influence, the requirement for broad approval of fundamental changes safeguards Bitcoin's core value proposition. These dynamics contain important lessons for the future of the crypto ecosystem. ## Sources covering this story - https://bitcoinaudible.com/bip-110-vs-uasf-do-the-suitcoiners-control-bitcoin/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._