Coins field guide

Bitcoin Cash.

A Bitcoin fork focused on payments.

Bitcoin Cash split from Bitcoin in 2017 after a dispute over how the network should scale. It uses larger blocks to target cheaper, more frequent payments.

What it isWhy it mattersWhat can go wrongWhat to do next

NetworkProof of Work

Supply21 million BCH

Birthday / launchAugust 1, 2017 — Bitcoin Cash split from Bitcoin

Know the backstory

August 1, 2017 — Bitcoin Cash split from Bitcoin

Built by: A community-led fork; no single founder

Bitcoin Cash emerged from the Bitcoin scaling debate. It retained Bitcoin's transaction model and proof of work while adopting different block-size and protocol rules.

Why it stands apart

A Bitcoin fork focused on payments.

BCH is not BTC. It has a separate blockchain, separate miners, separate market, and a different approach to capacity and upgrades.

Bottom line: Bitcoin Cash has its own design, trade-offs, and risks. Learn the network before you use the asset.

Follow the money

What happens after you hit send.

A signed BCH transaction is checked by nodes.
Miners use SHA-256 proof of work to assemble and compete for blocks.
Nodes accept blocks that meet BCH's rules and build on the most-work chain.

Know the economics

Where new BCH comes from.

Bitcoin Cash uses a 21 million BCH maximum supply and a Bitcoin-style block-reward schedule, but it is economically and technically a separate network.

Protect the downside

The mistake you cannot undo.

Always select the exact BCH network and address format a recipient supports. Similar names do not make BTC and BCH interchangeable.

Go beyond the summary

The subject in plain English.

Bitcoin Cash is a separate system with its own rules, people, and trade-offs. This page explains the basics in plain English so you can understand it before deciding whether to use it.

Start with the plain version

Bitcoin Cash split from Bitcoin in 2017 after a dispute over how the network should scale. It uses larger blocks to target cheaper, more frequent payments.

Its birthday and backstory

August 1, 2017 — Bitcoin Cash split from Bitcoin. Bitcoin Cash emerged from the Bitcoin scaling debate. It retained Bitcoin's transaction model and proof of work while adopting different block-size and protocol rules.

Who is behind it?

A community-led fork; no single founder. Names can explain a project’s history, but they do not make an asset safe or guarantee its future.

What keeps the record

Bitcoin Cash uses Proof of Work. It has its own blockchain, miners, price, and rules. Owning BTC does not mean you own BCH unless a service explicitly supports both.

Supply, fees, and incentives

Bitcoin Cash uses a 21 million BCH maximum supply and a Bitcoin-style block-reward schedule, but it is economically and technically a separate network.

The part to take seriously

Always select the exact BCH network and address format a recipient supports. Similar names do not make BTC and BCH interchangeable.

What people use it for

Where this matters.

Learn how the network records activity
Understand the difference between the asset, the network, and the company around it
Recognize the correct network before a transfer
Check whether a wallet or service actually supports this asset

Before you act

Verify before you sign.

Find the project through an official link, not an ad, reply, or direct message.
Confirm the exact name, ticker, network, and token or contract address.
Do not share a recovery phrase, private key, or remote access with anyone.
Use a small test transaction before moving an amount that matters.
Treat every purchase, yield offer, or app approval as a separate risk decision.

Common questions

Clear answers before money moves.

When did Bitcoin Cash begin? +

August 1, 2017 — Bitcoin Cash split from Bitcoin

Who built Bitcoin Cash? +

A community-led fork; no single founder

What blockchain does it use? +

Bitcoin Cash uses Proof of Work. BCH is not BTC. It has a separate blockchain, separate miners, separate market, and a different approach to capacity and upgrades.

What is the safest first step? +

Read the official documentation, verify the correct network, and make a tiny test before connecting a meaningful wallet or sending a meaningful amount.

Primary sources