Bitcoin's BIP-110 enters mandatory signaling phase with less than 3% miner support
With only 2.5% miner backing, concerns grow over potential network split in Bitcoin.
1BIP-110 enters mandatory signaling phase
Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 110 (BIP-110) entered its mandatory signaling phase on August 8, 2026 at block 961,632. With miners supporting the proposal in just 2.53% of the preceding 2,016 blocks, the figure remains far below the 55% threshold required for early activation. During this phase, BIP-110-enforcing nodes began rejecting blocks that don't carry version bit 4, while regular Bitcoin nodes continue accepting both signaling and non-signaling blocks. This divergence has sparked concerns about potential network fragmentation.
2Low miner support increases fork risk
The current level of miner support makes a sustained rival chain unlikely. Without majority miner participation, a BIP-110 branch might progress slowly or stop producing blocks altogether. This situation has intensified fears of a hard fork within the Bitcoin community. Prominent figures like Michael Saylor and Adam Back argue the proposal could reject transactions currently permitted under Bitcoin's rules, potentially dividing the network. The debate echoes previous ideological splits in Bitcoin's history.
3Technical restrictions proposed by BIP-110
BIP-110, proposed by pseudonymous developer Dathon Ohm, introduces consensus restrictions lasting approximately one year. The proposal would limit most new output scripts to 34 bytes, cap OP_RETURN outputs at 83 bytes, restrict certain data pushes and witness elements to 256 bytes, and temporarily limit several Taproot features. Unspent transaction outputs created before activation would be exempt. These measures aim to reduce blockchain bloat but have sparked controversy about limiting Bitcoin's programmability.
4Proponents cite network efficiency concerns
BIP-110 supporters argue the restrictions would discourage inscriptions and other non-monetary data uses that increase storage and bandwidth costs for node operators. Recent surges in NFT-like data inscriptions have bloated Bitcoin's block space, affecting network performance. The proposal seeks to refocus Bitcoin on its core function as a payment network by limiting alternative use cases. However, opponents view this as an unnecessary constraint on Bitcoin's flexibility and innovation potential.
5Critical deployment timeline
The BIP-110 deployment schedule designates blocks 961,632 through 963,647 as the mandatory signaling window, during which enforcing nodes reject non-signaling blocks. Block 963,648 marks the beginning of the locked-in state, with transaction restrictions taking effect at block 965,664. With current signaling rates below 3%, the proposal's chances of activation appear slim unless miner support increases substantially in coming weeks. The Bitcoin community watches closely as this critical phase unfolds.
6Proof-of-work change as contingency plan
BIP-110 proponents have prepared a more extensive fallback option in case of miner resistance. On August 1, Bitcoin developer Chris Guida rebased preliminary code for a proof-of-work change originally written by Bitcoin Knots maintainer Luke Dashjr. Guida described this as contingency code if miners oppose BIP-110, though no activation date has been set. Such radical changes could spark significant controversy in Bitcoin's history, potentially leading to another chain split if implemented.
7Growing divisions within the community
The BIP-110 debate highlights deep ideological rifts within the Bitcoin community. Proponents emphasize network efficiency and sustainability, while opponents warn of censorship risks and creeping centralization. This conflict over block space usage recalls the 2017 Bitcoin Cash split. Currently, nodes running BIP-110 have surpassed 2% of the network, and discussions are growing increasingly heated as the mandatory signaling period progresses.
8Critical juncture for Bitcoin's future
The BIP-110 process tests the limits of Bitcoin's decentralized governance model. Attempting to advance a contentious change without broad miner backing could separate enforcing nodes from the dominant chain, potentially causing a network split. Regardless of outcome, this episode will clearly demonstrate both the challenges of implementing protocol changes and the philosophical divides over Bitcoin's fundamental value proposition. The coming weeks may prove decisive for Bitcoin's technical and community evolution.