ECX hard fork sets Bitcoin snapshots for Sept. and Oct.

Layertwo Labs will launch ecash (ECX) as a hard fork that copies Bitcoin’s ledger at set block heights: alpha at 963648, beta at 967680 (around Sept. 20) and mainnet at 973728 (Oct. 31). At the mainnet snapshot, addresses controlled by private keys will be credited with one ECX for each BTC they held.

ECX will start from the copied ledger but operate as a separate blockchain. Bitcoin balances and the Bitcoin network will not change. ECX will run its own software, nodes, network identifier, ports, mining difficulty and economic rules.

The rollout uses three phases. The alpha phase will issue practice coins called pECX for testing software, mining and wallets; those coins are not permanent. The beta phase is intended to test support from exchanges, custodians, miners and wallet providers. The mainnet will create permanent ECX balances and enable the project’s initial sidechains.

Layertwo Labs is led by Paul Sztorc, the developer behind the Drivechains proposals BIP 300 and BIP 301. Drivechains describe a way to add optional sidechains to Bitcoin without changing base-layer rules. Because those proposals did not gain consensus for activation on Bitcoin, ECX will launch as a separate network rather than seek another soft-fork change.

ECX plans to activate seven initial sidechains with different functions: Thunder for high-throughput payments, Zside for shielded transactions, Bitnames for decentralized identity, Bitassets for token issuance, Photon for quantum-resistant signatures, Truthcoin for prediction markets and Coinshift for cross-chain trading.

Technically, ECX will use SHA-256d proof-of-work and keep its base-layer code close to Bitcoin Core. The chain will use a distinct network identifier and ports so ECX nodes do not connect to Bitcoin. Mining difficulty will be reset to the minimum at launch before normal adjustments resume, a setup that is likely to produce volatile mining conditions early on.

A special rule will affect roughly 1.1 million ECX tied to addresses identified by the Patoshi pattern. About 600,000 ECX will remain assigned to those addresses and about 500,000 ECX will be redirected via special transactions to early investors and development funding. Those actions do not change BTC balances on the Bitcoin chain.

Who can claim ECX depends on control of private keys at the snapshots. Holders in self-custody should be able to claim matching ECX. BTC held on exchanges or custodial platforms will be credited to the custodian unless those providers choose to distribute ECX to customers. There is no established market price for ECX; trading around launch is expected to be speculative.

ECX is separate from recent efforts to change Bitcoin and does not attempt to force new rules on Bitcoin users. After mainnet, operation will depend on software stability, working sidechains, exchange and wallet support and miner participation. ECX should not be confused with XEC, a different cryptocurrency that uses the ecash name.