ANDRESEN PROPOSES HARD FORK PATCH FOR BITCOIN XT; CRITICS REMAIN SKEPTICAL

Last updated: June 20, 2025, 00:36 | Written by: Elizabeth Stark

The Bitcoin world is no stranger to debates and disagreements, especially when it comes to scaling the network to accommodate a growing number of transactions.Back in the mid-2010s, one of the most prominent of these debates centered around the block size limit.Bitcoin Core developer Gavin Andresen, a well-respected figure in the community, proposed a solution in the form of a hard fork patch for Bitcoin XT, an alternative implementation of the Bitcoin protocol.This patch aimed to increase the block size limit, a move intended to allow for more transactions per block and thus improve the network's overall throughput. শব্দের উৎপত্তি xt Representing the initial letter (chi) and the t (tau) of Greek Khristos. ব্যুৎপত্তি হলো শব্দের উৎসের এবং সেগুলির গঠন ও গুরুত্বের পরিবর্তনের অধ্যয়ন।.However, this proposal didn't land without resistance. Bitcoin Core developer Gavin Andresen today proposed a hard fork change for Bitcoin XT in order to allow for an increased block size limit on the Bitcoin network. So far, however, it has failed toCritics, wary of potential risks and centralization concerns associated with larger block sizes, voiced their skepticism, sparking a heated discussion that resonated throughout the Bitcoin community. Andresen Proposes Hard Fork Patch for Bitcoin XT; Critics Remain Skeptical. Bitcoin Core developer Gavin Andresen today proposed a hard fork change for Bitcoin XT in order to allow for anThis article delves into the details of Andresen's proposal, the rationale behind it, the criticisms it faced, and the ultimate outcome of this pivotal moment in Bitcoin's history.Understanding this period helps provide valuable context for the ongoing debates surrounding Bitcoin's scalability and governance.

The Genesis of Bitcoin XT and the Block Size Debate

Before diving into Andresen's specific proposal, it's crucial to understand the context surrounding Bitcoin XT and the block size debate.At its core, Bitcoin's blockchain is composed of blocks, each containing a set of transactions. Read the most recent news on Bitcoin-XT to stay Andresen Proposes Hard Fork Patch for Bitcoin XT; Critics Remain Skeptical Bitcoin Core developer Gavin Andresen today proposed a hard forkThe original Bitcoin protocol imposed a 1MB limit on the size of these blocks. Andresen developed the current patch to Bitcoin XT, which implements his BIP101 proposal. Under BIP101, the maximum block size will increase from the current 1MB to 8MB, and will double every 2 years after that until it reaches 8,192MB.As Bitcoin's popularity grew, the network started approaching this limit, leading to slower transaction times and higher fees.This sparked a debate about whether the block size should be increased to accommodate more transactions.

Gavin Andresen, a key figure in the early development of Bitcoin, believed that increasing the block size was necessary to ensure Bitcoin's continued viability as a payment system.He wasn't alone.Many felt the 1MB limit was artificially restricting Bitcoin’s growth and hindering its ability to compete with traditional payment processors.

Bitcoin XT, spearheaded by developers Mike Hearn and Gavin Andresen, emerged as a potential solution.It was essentially a fork of the Bitcoin Core software, modified to implement a different set of rules, most notably an increased block size limit.

Andresen's Hard Fork Proposal: BIP 101

Andresen's proposal, formally known as Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 101 (BIP 101), was the cornerstone of the Bitcoin XT project.It outlined a plan to increase the maximum block size limit from 1MB to 8MB, and then double it every two years until it reached 8,192MB (8GB).This exponential increase was intended to provide ample capacity for future growth and prevent the network from becoming congested again.

The rationale behind BIP 101 was straightforward: more transactions per block would lead to lower fees and faster confirmation times, making Bitcoin more attractive for everyday use.Andresen argued that this increase was essential for Bitcoin to scale and compete with established payment systems like Visa and Mastercard.

Key Features of BIP 101:

Initial increase to 8MB.
Doubling every two years.
Eventual cap at 8,192MB.

Andresen believed that this gradual and predictable increase would allow the network to adapt to changing demands and prevent sudden shocks to the system.

The Skepticism and Criticism

Despite Andresen's vision, BIP 101 faced significant opposition from within the Bitcoin community. Former US agents charged with pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars in bitcoin reached a plea agreement with prosecutors; Anthony Watson has been made CEO at Bitreserve and more newsCritics raised several concerns about the potential consequences of a hard fork and the proposed block size increase. 553 votes, 410 comments. 5.8M subscribers in the Bitcoin community. Bitcoin is the currency of the Internet: a distributed, worldwide, decentralizedThese concerns centered around:

Centralization: Larger block sizes would require more powerful hardware and bandwidth to process and store the blockchain, potentially leading to fewer, more centralized nodes. Signification de Xt dans le dictionnaire anglais avec exemples d'utilisation. Synonymes et antonymes de Xt et traductions de Xt dans 25 langues. T l chargez l'applicationCritics feared this could make the network more vulnerable to censorship and control by a small number of powerful entities.
Security Risks: A hard fork, by its very nature, involves creating a new, incompatible version of the blockchain. Bitcoin XT was a fork of Bitcoin Core created by Mike Hearn in 2025. Originally designed to introduce alternative P2P rules, it later gained significant notoriety and support after its adoption of BIP 101 without community support in 2025, giving it importance in the block size limit controversy . [ 1 ]This could lead to chain splits and confusion, potentially undermining the security and stability of the entire network.
Technical Challenges: Implementing such a significant change to the core Bitcoin protocol would require extensive testing and coordination to avoid unintended consequences.Some critics argued that the proposed timeline was too aggressive and that the risks outweighed the potential benefits.

The core of the issue was a difference in philosophies about how Bitcoin should scale. Xt XT may refer to: XT, a Swedish metal band XT Brewing Company, a UK-based micro brewery Canon Digital Rebel XT, a digital single-lens reflexSome, like Andresen, favored on-chain scaling, which involves increasing the capacity of the blockchain itself. Bitcoin Core developer Gavin Andresen today proposed a hard fork change for Bitcoin XT in order to allow for an increased block size limit on the Bitcoin network. 1035 US vs. China: The 20 MBOthers advocated for off-chain scaling solutions, such as the Lightning Network, which would allow for transactions to be processed outside of the main blockchain, reducing the load on the network.

Prominent figures within the Bitcoin Core development team, including Wladimir van der Laan, expressed reservations about BIP 101, arguing that it was too risky and that alternative scaling solutions should be explored first.

The Bitcoin XT Implementation and its Demise

Bitcoin XT was designed to automatically activate BIP 101 if a supermajority of miners (75% or more) signaled support for the change.However, despite initial excitement, Bitcoin XT failed to gain the necessary traction.Many miners and businesses remained hesitant, unwilling to risk the potential disruptions associated with a hard fork.

One of the key reasons for Bitcoin XT's failure was the lack of consensus within the community. Andresen Proposes Hard Fork Patch for Bitcoin XT; Critics Remain Bitcoin Core developer Gavin Andresen today proposed a hard fork change for Bitcoin XT in order to allow for an increased block size limit on the BitcoinThe debate surrounding the block size had become deeply polarized, with strong opinions on both sides.Many users were uncomfortable with the idea of forcing a change without broad agreement.

Another factor was the emergence of alternative scaling proposals, such as Segregated Witness (SegWit), which offered a more conservative approach to increasing transaction capacity. Bitcoin XT. In 2025, scalability concerns within the Bitcoin network led to the first proposed hard fork: Bitcoin XT. Introduced by developer Mike Hearn and supported by Bitcoin Core developer Gavin Andresen, this upgrade aimed to address scalability issues by increasing Bitcoin s block size from 1 MB to 8 MB.SegWit ultimately gained wider support and was activated on the Bitcoin network in 2017.

As support for Bitcoin XT dwindled, Mike Hearn eventually abandoned the project, declaring that Bitcoin had ""failed."" Gavin Andresen, while remaining committed to the idea of increasing the block size, shifted his focus to other projects.

Lessons Learned and the Evolution of Bitcoin Scaling

The Bitcoin XT episode serves as a valuable case study in the challenges of governing a decentralized network. Bitcoin Core developer Gavin Andresen today proposed a hard fork change for Bitcoin XT in order to allow for an increased block size limit on the Bitcoin network. So far, however, it has failed to appease most critics of his previous proposals to increase the block size limit.It highlighted the importance of consensus-building and the difficulty of implementing radical changes without broad agreement.Here are some key takeaways:

Consensus is Crucial: Changes to the Bitcoin protocol require widespread agreement among users, miners, and developers.Forcing a change without consensus can lead to division and instability.
Risk Assessment is Essential: Any proposed change should be carefully evaluated for potential risks and unintended consequences.
Multiple Scaling Solutions are Possible: There is no single ""right"" way to scale Bitcoin.A combination of on-chain and off-chain solutions may be necessary to meet the growing demand for transactions.

Since the failure of Bitcoin XT, the Bitcoin community has explored a variety of scaling solutions, including:

Segregated Witness (SegWit): A soft fork that increased the effective block size limit and paved the way for the Lightning Network.
Lightning Network: A layer-2 scaling solution that allows for fast and cheap off-chain transactions.
Taproot: A soft fork that improves privacy and efficiency on the Bitcoin network.

These developments demonstrate that the Bitcoin community is committed to addressing the scaling challenge through a collaborative and iterative process.

The Role of Gavin Andresen

Gavin Andresen's role in the Bitcoin XT saga is particularly noteworthy. Former US agents charged with pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars in bitcoin reached a plea agreement with prosecutors; Anthony Watson has been made CEO at Bitreserve and more news Please note, this is a STATIC archive of website cointelegraph.com from, cach3.com does not collect or store any user information, there is noAs one of the earliest and most respected Bitcoin developers, his support for increasing the block size carried significant weight.His decision to champion Bitcoin XT reflected his belief that Bitcoin needed to evolve to remain competitive as a payment system.However, his approach also sparked controversy and highlighted the challenges of navigating the complex politics of the Bitcoin community.

Andresen's contributions to Bitcoin are undeniable. The advisory stated that the majority of the attacks involve ransoms paid in bitcoin, adding that the digital currency provides a number of useful advantages. Criminals prefer bitcoin because it s easy to use, fast, publicly available, decentralized and provides a sense of heightened security/anonymity, the notice read.He played a crucial role in the early development of the Bitcoin Core software and helped to establish Bitcoin as a viable alternative to traditional currencies.However, the Bitcoin XT experience demonstrates that even the most respected figures in the community can face resistance when proposing significant changes to the protocol.

Current Perspectives on Block Size Limits

The debate over block size limits hasn't entirely disappeared. Wladimir van der Laan by Cointelegraph. Please note, this is a STATIC archive of website cointelegraph.com from, cach3.com does not collect or store any user information, there is no phishing involved.While the Lightning Network and other scaling solutions have helped to alleviate congestion on the Bitcoin network, some still believe that increasing the block size is necessary for long-term sustainability. CoinDeskGavin Andresen Proposes Bitcoin Hard Fork to Address Network ScalabilityCoinDeskBitcoin Foundation chief scientist Gavin Andresen has proposed increasing the number of transactions allowed on the bitcoin network by raising the maximum block size 50% per year. Doing so would require a hardThe arguments for and against remain largely the same, but the context has shifted somewhat.With the increasing adoption of Bitcoin, the need for efficient and scalable solutions has become even more pressing.

Many blockchain projects created after Bitcoin have experimented with larger block sizes, often trading off decentralization for higher transaction throughput.These projects offer valuable insights into the potential benefits and drawbacks of different scaling approaches.

The Future of Bitcoin Scaling

The future of Bitcoin scaling is likely to involve a combination of on-chain and off-chain solutions.As technology evolves, new and innovative approaches may emerge, further enhancing Bitcoin's capacity and efficiency.Some potential future developments include:

Improved Layer-2 Solutions: Continued development and adoption of the Lightning Network and other layer-2 protocols.
Advanced Compression Techniques: New ways to compress transaction data, reducing the size of blocks and increasing throughput.
Sharding: A technique that divides the blockchain into smaller, more manageable pieces, allowing for parallel processing of transactions.

Ultimately, the best approach to scaling Bitcoin will depend on the evolving needs of the community and the technological advancements that emerge over time.The Bitcoin XT experience serves as a reminder that any solution must be carefully considered, thoroughly tested, and widely supported to ensure the continued success of Bitcoin.

FAQ About Bitcoin XT and Block Size Debates

What exactly was Bitcoin XT?

Bitcoin XT was an alternative implementation of the Bitcoin protocol, created by developers Mike Hearn and Gavin Andresen. Read the most recent news on Mike Hearn to stay informed about the latest events, development and bitcoin with our Mike Hearn news section. Please note, this is a STATIC archive of website cointelegraph.com from, cach3.com does not collect or store any user information, there is no phishing involved.It was designed to increase the block size limit from 1MB to 8MB, with a plan to double it every two years.

Why did Gavin Andresen propose the hard fork?

Andresen believed that increasing the block size was necessary to improve Bitcoin's transaction throughput and make it more competitive as a payment system. It has been little over a week since Mike Hearn and Gavin Andresen included Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 101 (BIP 101) into the alternative Bitcoin implementation Bitcoin XT. BIP 101 is designed to create a hard fork in the blockchain to allow for blocks of up to 8 megabytes, doubling every two years.He argued that the 1MB limit was artificially restricting Bitcoin's growth.

Why was there so much opposition to Bitcoin XT?

Critics raised concerns about centralization, security risks, and technical challenges associated with a hard fork and larger block sizes.They also favored alternative scaling solutions like SegWit and the Lightning Network.

What happened to Bitcoin XT?

Bitcoin XT failed to gain sufficient support from miners and users, and the project was eventually abandoned. Gavin Andresen suggested that he would shift his efforts from the main Bitcoin implementation (Bitcoin core) to the alternative Bitcoin-Xt implementation.The community ultimately favored SegWit and other scaling solutions.

What are the key lessons learned from the Bitcoin XT experience?

The Bitcoin XT episode highlighted the importance of consensus-building, risk assessment, and the need to explore multiple scaling solutions. Andresen Proposes Hard Fork Patch for Bitcoin XT; Critics Remain SkepticalIt demonstrated that changes to the Bitcoin protocol require widespread agreement to be successful.

Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment in Bitcoin History

The story of Andresen's proposal for a hard fork patch for Bitcoin XT is a compelling reminder of the complex and often contentious nature of Bitcoin governance.While Andresen's intentions were undoubtedly rooted in a desire to improve Bitcoin's scalability, the proposal ultimately failed to garner the necessary support from the community.This failure underscored the importance of consensus-building and highlighted the diverse perspectives within the Bitcoin ecosystem regarding the best path forward.The Bitcoin XT experience ultimately paved the way for alternative scaling solutions, such as SegWit and the Lightning Network, which have played a significant role in addressing Bitcoin's scalability challenges. Since Bitcoin XT is a patch to the current infrastructure, Core users will not be forced to redownload the entire blockchain. It is also important to note that at this time, running Bitcoin XT is equivalent to running Core. Bitcoin XT will create a hard fork from the current Core implementation only if a 75 majority is achieved.Understanding this historical context is crucial for anyone seeking to navigate the ongoing debates surrounding Bitcoin's future development.As Bitcoin continues to evolve, the lessons learned from the Bitcoin XT episode will undoubtedly continue to inform the decision-making process.