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Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash Communities: A Call for Reconciliation
Adam Back, the CEO of Bitcoin company Blockstream and a pioneering figure in Bitcoin development, recently reached out to long-time rival Roger Ver, a prominent early Bitcoin investor turned advocate for Bitcoin Cash (BCH). Back extended an “olive branch” to Ver, urging him to reconsider his stance and return to Bitcoin. This gesture from Back comes in response to Ver’s controversial book, “Hijacking Bitcoin: The Hidden History of BTC,” where he alleges that the original vision of Bitcoin has been compromised.
The Bitcoin Cash Proposition
Roger Ver, once dubbed “Bitcoin Jesus” for his enthusiastic support of Bitcoin, shifted his allegiance to Bitcoin Cash in 2017. Ver argued that BCH, with its larger block sizes, more closely aligned with the original Bitcoin protocol envisioned by Satoshi Nakamoto. The lack of certain developments like sidechains or layer-2 solutions in BCH reflects the community’s belief that these tools are centralized and contradict Satoshi’s vision of a decentralized network.
In his book, Ver questions the decentralization of Bitcoin, its intended use as digital gold or digital cash, and the scaling challenges inherent in the original design. Describing his work as an “exposé of corruption, propaganda, and centralization in Bitcoin,” Ver highlights censorship within the community as a key issue.
A Perspective Shift
Adam Back’s response to Ver’s assertions offers a different viewpoint. Back acknowledges the censorship experienced by both himself and Ver during the intense debates of the “block size wars.” Despite past conflicts, Back suggests that it might be time for reconciliation between the Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash communities.
Back’s message to Ver includes a call to embrace the advancements within the Bitcoin network, particularly in terms of convenience and scalability. He points to various new developments, such as layer-2 solutions like the Lightning Network, as fulfilling the scalability objectives that Ver sought with larger blocks in BCH.
Invitation to Return
In a tweet directed at Ver, Back invites him to reconsider his position and rejoin the Bitcoin community. Acknowledging past disagreements, Back encourages Ver to explore the evolving landscape of Bitcoin technology, offering solutions that align with Ver’s original vision for BCH.
While Ver has yet to respond to Back’s invitation, reactions from the Bitcoin community have been varied. Some express support for the idea of reconciliation, while others criticize Back’s approach as hypocritical. The dialogue between these two influential figures reflects the ongoing debate surrounding the future of Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash.
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