BitcoinMadeClearWhich one is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin (BTC) launched in January 2009. It uses proof-of-work and its rules cap the supply at 21 million BTC. Bitcoin Core is the reference software, not another coin.
A short asset label is called a ticker. Check the full name as well as the ticker when you read about a coin.
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What is a fork?
A fork is a change of rules. A chain split happens when some computers keep the old rules and others follow new ones.
- Bitcoin Cash (BCH) split from Bitcoin on 1 August 2017, mainly over block size.
- Bitcoin SV (BSV) split from Bitcoin Cash in November 2018.
Each fork coin is a separate asset with its own software and risks. Holding BTC does not make a fork coin safe to claim or use.
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What is the Bitcoin Ecosystem family?
The Bitcoin Ecosystem project describes the following family. The labels in this table are the project's descriptions, not independently verified claims. They do not establish that these chains are forks of Bitcoin.
| Project name | Project's description |
|---|---|
| Bitcoin Reserve / RWA1 (BTCr1) | The Sovereign Reserve / Real World Asset Chain |
| Bitcoin Genesis 1 (BTC1) | The Decentralised Utility & Security Chain (proof-of-work) |
| 1Bitcoin1 (1BTC1) | The Scarcity Anchor |
| Bitcoin1USD (BTC1USD) | The Stability Layer |
| Bitcoin1.ai (BTC1ai) | The Decentralised Intelligence Layer |
| BitcoinQu1 (BTC1q) | The Quantum-Secure Ledger |
You do not need to memorise these labels. A familiar name alone does not tell you how an asset works, who controls it or what risks it carries.