BCash/Bitcoin (BCH)1 cash did it on August 1st 2017, Bitcoin2x/Segwit2x(B2X) does it at block 494,784, which is currently estimated to occur on November 16th. For better or worse, creating a new cryptocurrency by forking off of Bitcoin seems to be this seasons fashion, and seeing the relative success of the previous and current attempts (lingering at prices of several percent of that of Bitcoin, which gives it a market cap in the billions of dollar), it is also a trend which is quite likely going to carry over into the next year. And since this topic comes up again and again at the meetups and the chat groups organized by the BAS, it is certainly worthwhile to capture some of the most relevant and interesting points in written words. I'll say some general things about forks of Bitcoin and how to benefit from them, but -since this has been splendidly covered elsewhere- spend most of the text with the specific changes of the Bitcoin Gold fork.
While the Bank for International Settlement / Basel Committee on Banking Supervision continues to propose regulation, they also have developed a habit of not addressing legitimate concerns from the community. That is highly regrettable, but no reason to throw in the towel. So the Bitcoin Association Switzerland continues to provide constructive feedback and - so we think - well argued suggestions on how to improve on the longterm goals of the BIS to make the space safer and allow for more innovation.
The letter we sent out this week is continuing this tradition.
