Bitcoin holders face unresolved fork risks as new eCash test chain launches ahead of October deadline

An eCash fork began an Alpha‑test phase on August 23, creating practice pECX units at Bitcoin block height 963,648. The permanent allocation of a 1:1 ECX token to Bitcoin holders is now scheduled for a Mainnet launch around Bitcoin block 973,728 on October 31.

Alpha test confirms separate chain

The eCash Alpha explorer recorded blocks at heights 963,648 through 963,650, showing a distinct chain running alongside Bitcoin. A stale competing block at the opening height indicated a rehearsal network rather than a settled production chain. Bitcoin’s own block at height 963,648 was recorded with hash 00000000000000000001769d9a327f5b455aa8a2dd407b1b63040d2a9f832d32 and timestamp 2026‑08‑23 01:48:47, confirming that Bitcoin’s ledger remained unchanged.

Roadmap and stages

The revised schedule includes three stages:

• Alpha – roughly block 963,648 on August 23 (practice pECX only)
• Beta – near block 967,680 on September 20 (practice pECX only)
• Permanent Mainnet – near block 973,728 on October 31 (final ECX allocation)

Practice pECX can be burned for real ECX at Mainnet; the project cited a rate of 1,000 pECX redeemable for 10 ECX. However, the evidence does not confirm that Alpha or Beta balances automatically carry over to Mainnet.

Unresolved technical details

The integration guide, last updated August 11, still lists the Alpha block as the production fork point and marks key parameters as “drynet4.” Final fork hash, software branch, tag, and replay scheme have not been published. Current guidance uses an opt‑in nLockTime of 499,999,999 for ECX transactions, but integrators are advised to verify the final scheme before launch.

Exchange and miner readiness

Most exchanges kept Bitcoin services operational during the Alpha stage. GMO Coin stated it would not handle pECX or ECX during Alpha and Beta, while Coincheck, SBI VC Trade, and Zaif left ECX crediting decisions pending. The Alpha stage therefore posed low impact to Bitcoin ownership but served as a test window for miners, wallets, and exchanges.

Key risk ahead of October

For miners, wallet providers, and exchanges, the critical checkpoint remains the October 31 Mainnet launch, when final software, replay rules, and asset handling will be defined.