As bitcoin heads into July, the protocol stands on the cusp of major changes to its code.
The result of years of heated discussion on how to expand the capabilities of bitcoin for greater transaction volumes, two key proposals now stand on the verge of potentially disrupting or upgrading the network.
While generally described as a âcivil war,â the battle over bitcoinâs technical roadmap is more nuanced.
Yet, thatâs not to say there couldnât be real consequences.
To help readers understand this turbulent time, weâre assembling content, both new and old, to serve as a guide to the debate and a real-time way to track news and updates.
In the days to come, weâll be updating this post as a resource. Weâre happy to consider collaborations and improvements as we seek to inform the world about changes and movements in bitcoin code.
âEither the $40bn economic network â¦Â is on the verge of the biggest change in its history, or the most advanced scaling compromise is headed toward its biggest political failure.â
A Bitcoin Scaling Upgrade: How It Could Finally Happen (And How It Could Fail)
Penned by CoinDeskâs Pete Rizzo and Alyssa Hertig, our overview piece helps frame the debate, introducing key concepts and timelines.
For a more detailed overview, weâve also compiled a chart of major timelines and outcomes.
What Could Happen to Bitcoin? A Visual Guide to Scaling Outcomes
Other media outlets have since offered their takes on the situation ahead. Below, is a list of our favorites.
Recommended reading:
Along the way, weâll release new guides and explainers aimed at taking high-level looks at some of the more granular aspects of the code proposals.
The most widely supported (and most controversial proposal), Segwit2x has perhaps the greatest chance of being activated.
In this explainer piece, Alyssa Hertig outlines (in simple terms) what the proposal aims to do, what inspired it and how it works.
Explainer: What Is SegWit2x and What Does It Mean for Bitcoin?
In response to perceptions miners and startups are pushing their view on the bitcoin roadmap, some users have threatened revolt.
Here, Alyssa Hertig explains the proposal and its possible implications.
Bitcoinâs âIndependence Dayâ: Could Users Tip the Scales in the Scaling Debate?
A complement to Segwit2x, BIP 91 may well end up mediating between the two proposals.
Here, Alyssa Hertig and Bailey Reutzel outline how it works, whoâs running the code and what will happen if (and when) it goes live.
CoinDesk Explainer: How BIP 91 Enacts SegWit While Avoiding a Bitcoin Split
Recommended reading:
Once youâre past the 101, you may want to dive deeper to understand the cultural and intellectual underpinnings of the debate.
Who Watches Bitcoinâs Watchmen? Scalingâs Great Game of Egos
Here, Pete Rizzo wades into explaining the influence miners, startups and developers have on bitcoin, exploring what keeps these groups together, as well as the issues keeping them at odds.
This isnât to say the scaling debate is a new story.
Bitcoinâs Broken Record: Why the Scaling Debate Isnât Going Away
In fact, disagreements have gone on so long, many have feared (or hoped) they would never come to any head. Here, Alyssa Hertig outlines the reasons why.
But, who doesnât want to scale? It turns out, there might be valid and well-reasoned arguments for this outlook.
Scaling Revisited: What If Bitcoinâs Big âProblemâ is Its Great Strength?
Recommended reading:
Disclosure: CoinDesk is a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which helped organize the Segwit2x agreement.
Image via Alex Sunnarborg for CoinDesk
