A branch enforcing BIP-110 stalled at block 961,633 after producing only two blocks, while the non-enforcing chain advanced to block 961,721, widening the gap to 88 blocks.
According to the BIP-110 monitor (last updated at 10:19 UTC), the enforcing branch’s most recent block was mined roughly 12 hours earlier. Chain records show the two blocks on the enforcing branch were mined by a pseudonymous group called Roughnecks using Ocean’s DATUM (Decentralized Alternative Templates for Universal Mining) protocol.
The split began when BIP-110 entered its mandatory signaling window at block 961,632. In the prior 2,016-block signaling period only 51 blocks (about 2.53%) signaled support. During the mandatory window, nodes enforcing BIP-110 will reject blocks that do not set version bit 4; ordinary Bitcoin nodes continue to accept both signaling and non-signaling blocks.
Under the proposal, mandatory signaling runs through block 963,647. Because the enforcing branch must mine through the remainder of the 2,016-block adjustment period before its difficulty can retarget, its progress is slow unless it gains substantial additional hashpower. That constraint helps explain why the enforcing branch has produced so few blocks so far.
BIP-110 has attracted notable criticism. Michael Saylor said he agrees with the proposal’s goals but warned its mechanism could threaten Bitcoin’s rules neutrality and consensus. Blockstream CEO Adam Back cautioned that making this kind of consensus-level change could harm Bitcoin’s credibility and might risk rendering some unspent transaction outputs unspendable.
Observers continue to watch both chains and miner signaling closely as the mandatory window continues. Readers are encouraged to verify developments independently.