eCasheCashgithub
eCasheCash
learn
what is ecashdrivechainscoin splittingwhy hardforkwhat to expecthow to claimsidechainsfaqreadingfast facts
media
videosendorsements
software
downloadbounty
§ what to expect

The eCash (ECX) Bitcoin fork

Mainnet is planned around October 31, 2026, at Bitcoin block ~973,728. Here is what happens before and after the fork, in plain terms.

Start with what eCash is, learn about Drivechains, and review accessing ECX.

01
The snapshot

Balances are read at three block heights: alpha (~963,648, 23rd august 2026), beta (~967,680, 19th september 2026), and mainnet (~973,728, 31st october 2026). Alpha and beta credit practice $ECX; mainnet credits the final, permanent $ECX. Every address holding BTC at each snapshot is credited automatically, with no action required from you.

02
The fork itself leaves BTC unchanged

Nothing happens to your existing Bitcoin. The fork does not move, modify, or touch your BTC in any way. eCash arrives alongside it, a separate asset, delivered to the same address. Spending either asset later requires care with keys, software, and replay protection.

03
Two ledgers, separate assets

After the fork, BTC and ECX have separate transaction histories and balances. A matching initial balance is not a promise of equal market value or exchange support.

04
You can preview it right now

The LayerTwoLabs team has working software available today, a full node, wallet, and Beta network. You can run the network, explore sidechains, and test transactions before launch day.

Download the test software↗
05
Transaction replay & coin splitting

Replay protection is opt-in, not automatic. If you move BTC after a snapshot without splitting first, that transaction can also broadcast on the eCash network, sending your $ECX to whoever receives the BTC. This is called transaction replay.

note

The official wallet can add replay protection for you and will warn you if it hasn't been applied yet — but you have to use it. Ignore the warning and move BTC anyway, and your $ECX follows it to the new owner. Split intentionally, before you move any BTC.

Read the coin-splitting guide↗