The Bitcoin Cash (BCH) network is on the brink of another major event—its second hard fork, scheduled for November 15. This upcoming split has reignited debate within the crypto community and drawn renewed attention from investors, developers, and miners alike. With two competing development camps—Bitcoin Cash ABC (BCHABC) and Bitcoin Cash Node (BCHN)—pushing divergent visions, the future of BCH hangs in the balance.
For holders of BCH, this moment could mean potential gains through forked token distributions. But it also brings uncertainty, volatility, and questions about decentralization, governance, and long-term value. Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and how investors should prepare.
Why Is BCH Forking Again?
Like its 2018 predecessor, the current hard fork stems from deep-rooted disagreements within the BCH community—particularly around funding, control, and project governance.
At the heart of the conflict is the IFP (Infrastructure Funding Plan) proposed by Bitcoin ABC, the team responsible for one of BCH’s primary software implementations. The IFP would allocate 8% of each block reward to fund ongoing development work by the ABC team. While framed as a sustainable way to finance critical infrastructure, many in the community see it as a power grab—an unauthorized tax on miners benefiting a single centralized group.
Bitcoin ABC argues that consistent funding is essential for maintaining and advancing the network. Without financial support, they claim, development slows and innovation stalls. However, critics point out that ABC did not achieve broad consensus before coding the IFP into their upgrade roadmap.
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This lack of inclusive decision-making sparked backlash. Notably, Roger Ver, an early advocate of BCH and founder of Bitcoin.com, publicly opposed the plan, calling it a “Soviet-style central planning” model. Others echoed concerns about centralization, warning that giving one team control over a portion of block rewards undermines the decentralized ethos of cryptocurrency.
In response, a rival implementation—Bitcoin Cash Node (BCHN)—emerged as a community-driven alternative. Backed by miners and users who reject mandatory developer funding, BCHN aims to preserve decentralization by allowing market forces, not protocol-mandated taxes, to determine which development teams thrive.
Industry Perspectives: Governance vs. Decentralization
The debate isn’t just technical—it’s philosophical.
Liu Changyong, an early proponent of BCH and founder of Zhimi University, offered key insights during an interview with Mars Finance:
- BCH lacks effective governance and needs a formal mechanism to resolve disputes.
- Public funding for development is acceptable—if done transparently and democratically.
- Roger Ver doesn’t oppose funding in principle; he opposes unilateral decisions made without community input.
- Bitcoin ABC’s approach bypassed consensus-building, leading to widespread resistance.
Liu emphasized a crucial point: decentralization must come first. Even if a centralized team can govern efficiently, sacrificing decentralization risks turning BCH into just another corporate-controlled system—defeating the purpose of a permissionless digital currency.
Meanwhile, Jiang Zhuole, CEO of ViaBTC and founder of CoinEx, expressed confidence in the market’s ability to self-correct. He noted that on CoinEx, BCHN was trading at nearly 9 times the price of BCHABC—a strong signal of market preference. In his view, this fork proves that the community, not any single dev team or domain name owner, defines what BCH truly is.
Other voices in the space remain cautious. Blockchain analyst William warned that past forks—especially the 2018 BCH split—coincided with sharp market downturns. While not blaming forks directly, he stressed that internal conflicts erode trust and divert energy from building real-world utility.
What Does This Mean for Investors?
For investors, the BCH fork presents both opportunity and risk.
✅ Potential Upside: Free Tokens & Market Momentum
If you hold BCH before the fork, you may receive 1:1 airdropped tokens on both resulting chains—one likely retaining the BCH ticker (depending on exchange decisions), and the other taking a new symbol like BCHA or BCHN.
Historically, such events attract speculative capital. Traders buy ahead of forks hoping to claim new coins, driving short-term price increases. For example:
- After OKEx announced its fork handling policy on October 28—including wallet snapshots and planned airdrops—BCH surged from $257 to nearly $276 within an hour (+7%).
- Other major exchanges followed suit, amplifying market sentiment.
This pattern suggests that fork anticipation itself can be bullish, creating a window for tactical positioning.
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⚠️ Key Risks: Chain Viability & Post-Fork Volatility
However, not all forks lead to lasting value. Unlike previous splits where both chains gained traction, this time one chain may fail due to insufficient mining support. A chain without adequate hash power becomes vulnerable to attacks and may lose exchange listings quickly.
Additionally:
- There’s no guarantee which chain will keep the “BCH” name—exchanges typically choose based on market price or community adoption post-fork.
- Price swings after the fork can be extreme. Initial pumps may reverse rapidly once “sell-the-news” dynamics kick in.
Investors should also carefully evaluate exchange policies. Most platforms plan to:
- Take snapshots of user balances pre-fork
- Distribute forked tokens 1:1
- Possibly list futures for speculative trading (e.g., BCHA/BCHN contracts)
But not all exchanges are equally reliable in delivering airdrops. Stick to well-established platforms with proven track records to avoid losing access to new tokens.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When is the BCH hard fork happening?
A: The hard fork is set for November 15, 2025, when the network reaches the designated block height.
Q: Will I automatically get new tokens if I own BCH?
A: Yes—if your BCH is held on a supporting exchange or in a self-custody wallet before the snapshot date. You’ll typically receive equivalent amounts of both resulting coins.
Q: Which chain will be called BCH after the fork?
A: Exchanges decide independently. Most will likely assign the BCH ticker to whichever chain shows stronger market demand and miner support post-fork.
Q: Could one chain become worthless?
A: Yes. If one chain fails to attract sufficient miners or exchange backing, its token may drop sharply or delist entirely.
Q: Should I buy BCH now to profit from the fork?
A: Only if you understand the risks. While forks can boost prices short-term, they also increase volatility. Consider your risk tolerance and exit strategy.
Q: How can I protect my funds during the fork?
A: Use reputable wallets or exchanges that clearly communicate their fork policies. Avoid transferring funds around the fork time to prevent replay attacks unless you apply proper protections.
Final Thoughts
The BCH hard fork isn’t just a technical upgrade—it’s a referendum on decentralization, community governance, and developer incentives. While past forks contributed to bearish sentiment in 2018, today’s ecosystem is more mature, with clearer mechanisms for handling splits.
For investors, this moment offers a chance to benefit from asset distribution while observing how market forces shape protocol evolution. Yet caution remains vital: volatility will rise, outcomes are uncertain, and not every forked coin survives long-term.
By staying informed, choosing trusted platforms, and understanding both opportunities and risks, investors can navigate this pivotal event with greater confidence.
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