Bitcoin BIP110 Backers Draft "Last-Resort" Plan That Could Overhaul Mining If Activation Is Blocked

Supporters of Bitcoin's BIP110 proposal say they are preparing an emergency fallback that could be triggered if miners prevent the update from activating. Bitcoin developer Chris Guida said he has adapted proof-of-work code originally written by Luke Dashjr in 2017 and ported it to a current release of Bitcoin Knots. Guida described the effort as a "last resort" option to keep available if miners do not provide the required readiness signals for BIP110. "I think we need to keep this option open in case miners decide to conspire to betray Bitcoin," he said. BIP110 is a soft-fork proposal intended to temporarily limit arbitrary data storage in Bitcoin transactions. Branded the "Reduced Data Temporary Softfork," it would tighten constraints on new transaction outputs, OP_RETURN fields, and witness data. The changes are designed to last for about one year and then automatically expire. If the contingency code were ever deployed, it could change Bitcoin's current mining algorithm. That would likely stop existing ASIC miners from producing blocks on the new chain, forcing a large-scale rebuild of the mining ecosystem. Backers emphasize the scenario is being discussed only as an emergency alternative. Dashjr, a Bitcoin Knots developer who also contributed to the original code, said he hopes it won't be needed, but that having it ready could help in a crisis. Mechanic, another BIP110 supporter, argued that even the possibility of a proof-of-work change could deter miners, adding that miners should provide services within rules fully accepted by node operators, rather than set Bitcoin's rules themselves. As the BIP110 activation process continues, supporters are tracking miner signaling. Data shown on the proposal's official monitoring page indicates backing remains limited. This is not investment advice.