The Bitcoin community is considering a proposal to remove the decimal point and redefine the unit of measurement for this leading asset.
This initiative aims to enhance user experience and simplify understanding, but has caused debate among enthusiasts.
Controversy Rises Around Proposal ‘1 Bitcoin = 1 Satoshi’
Bitcoin advocate John Carvalho has introduced a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) to change the way the cryptocurrency is measured. His idea replaces the most indivisible unit, the Satoshi, with the term Bitcoin.
“This BIP proposes to redefine the unit commonly recognized as ‘bitcoin’ so that the previously smallest unit becomes the primary reference unit. Under this proposal, one bitcoin is defined as that smallest unit, eliminating the need to use decimal points,” Carvalho write.
Under this plan, one Bitcoin would represent what is now known as one Satoshi. This redefinition will turn 0.00010000 BTC into 10K Bitcoins.
Carvalho explained that this change will synchronize Bitcoin’s unit of measurement with its underlying protocol, making the system easier to understand. Furthermore, he emphasized that reducing the reliance on the decimal point will reduce the cognitive effort required to understand Bitcoin. This clarification, he argues, will improve both education and user experience.
Previously, users defined one Bitcoin as 100 million base units. Carvalho’s proposal redefines this concept by making the smallest unit the main unit of reference. Under the proposed system, 1 BTC becomes 100 million Bitcoins. He emphasized that this transition simplifies communication about Bitcoin while preserving the core principles of the protocol.
“Current convention defines 1 BTC as 100,000,000 smallest indivisible units. This representation requires dealing with eight decimal points, which can be confusing and create the misconception that bitcoin is based on the decimal point. In fact, Bitcoin’s ledger represents values as integers of the smallest unit, and the decimal point is just a human-imposed abstraction,” he stated.
Carvalho concluded that his proposal brings a number of long-term benefits, including clearer communication, reduced confusion, and a more accurate understanding of Bitcoin’s underlying design.
This proposal has divided the crypto community. Some support the change, arguing that it addresses the “unit bias” that makes Bitcoin appear too expensive. Indeed, Mauricio Di Bartolomeo, co-founder of Ledn, trust This change could help correct this perception and make Bitcoin seem more accessible.
Similarly, Joe Nakamoto, another Bitcoin advocate, recognize This proposal is inevitable. He noted that wallets are already moving in this direction and more users are adopting it. He argues that as the value of Bitcoin continues to rise, adopting a simple unit system will become more natural.
“Wallets are already implementing bitcoin, a lot of bitcoin advocates are pushing for change, and as prices get higher and higher we will naturally move towards using the term bitcoin. Sorry if you’re too attached to the idea of ’sat’ and I’m sure you’ll stubbornly call it that as long as you can, but it won’t last because it hasn’t really taken root yet,” Nakamoto said. expression.
However, not everyone agrees. Crypto influencer Clara Bitcoin warns that redefining Bitcoin’s units could harm its narrative. She argued that the widely understood ceiling of 21 million Bitcoins could lose its meaning if reinterpreted to 21 quadrillion units. This transition, she said, could make Bitcoin seem less scarce and more abstract.
“The really good thing that BIP points out is that we should spend more time explaining what sat is because it is the true unit of measurement in Bitcoin’s protocol, code and blockchain,” she said. add.