Bitcoin Blake2b (XBT)

Market	Price	24h Change	24h Volume (USD)
XBT/BTC	0.002912	+0.00%	---
XBT/USDC	900	+0.00%	---
XBT/USDT	850	+6.25%	165.74

Bitcoin BLAKE2b (XBT) is a Bitcoin-derived Layer 1 blockchain that continues the Bitcoin ledger while using BLAKE2b instead of SHA-256d for Proof of Work. The network is based on Bitcoin's UTXO architecture and is designed for peer-to-peer payments and settlement.

XBT is the native currency of the Bitcoin BLAKE2b network and is used for peer-to-peer transactions and network fees. The network has a nominal maximum supply of 21 million XBT, targets 10-minute blocks, and follows Bitcoin's 210,000-block subsidy halving schedule.

Project Background

Bitcoin BLAKE2b is an open-source Bitcoin-derived Proof of Work blockchain that retains Bitcoin's historical ledger and keys while changing the consensus rules used to produce blocks after the fork. The network permanently replaced Bitcoin's SHA-256d Proof of Work with the BLAKE2b hashing algorithm beginning at block 961,640 on August 30, 2026.

The network uses Bitcoin's UTXO transaction model, allowing users to create and broadcast transactions through full nodes while miners validate transactions and produce Proof of Work blocks. The native XBT asset is used for peer-to-peer payments and transaction fees.

Bitcoin BLAKE2b introduced a version 2 block header format beginning at block 961,640. The new header is 164 bytes and contains additional fields required for the BLAKE2b mining process. SHA-256d mining is no longer valid for blocks produced under the new consensus rules.

The network maintains Bitcoin's approximately 10-minute target block interval and 210,000-block subsidy halving schedule. A temporary set of rules also limits arbitrary data storage and reduces the maximum block weight to 800,000 weight units, approximately 300 kB serialized, until September 1, 2027 based on the previous block's median time past.

Bitcoin BLAKE2b's mining infrastructure is based around Bitcoin Knots and DATUM-compatible mining software. The project documentation identifies BLAKE2b and BLAKE2b-Sia mining hardware as the hardware used to produce blocks on the network.

The project is developed as open-source software using the Bitcoin Knots codebase and supporting mining infrastructure. The network requires compatible node software because software that does not enforce the BLAKE2b consensus rules will follow a different blockchain after the fork.

History

Bitcoin launched in 2009 as a peer-to-peer electronic cash network using SHA-256d Proof of Work. Bitcoin BLAKE2b continues the Bitcoin ledger through the fork and retains the associated pre-fork coins, keys, and transaction history.

In August 2026, a group of Bitcoin node operators pursued rules intended to limit the use of Bitcoin block space for arbitrary data storage. The Bitcoin BLAKE2b project states that this was separate from BIP-110 and subsequently implemented a hard fork that changed the network's Proof of Work algorithm.

Block 961,639 was the final SHA-256d block on the Bitcoin BLAKE2b chain. Block 961,640, mined on August 30, 2026, was the first block using BLAKE2b Proof of Work. From that block onward, compatible nodes enforce the new consensus rules.

The change to BLAKE2b also introduced a new 164-byte version 2 block header. This format contains additional mining and header fields that are not present in Bitcoin's traditional 80-byte block header.

The network subsequently adopted Bitcoin Knots 29.4.2 as its documented node software and uses DATUM-compatible infrastructure for mining. The project's mining documentation identifies Bitcoin Knots and the DATUM Gateway as the primary software stack for mainnet mining.

Bitcoin BLAKE2b's current network continues to use BLAKE2b Proof of Work, 10-minute target blocks, a 21 million XBT nominal maximum supply, and subsidy halvings every 210,000 blocks.

Tokenomics and Emissions

XBT has a nominal maximum supply of 21,000,000 coins. Bitcoin BLAKE2b inherited the Bitcoin monetary issuance schedule and pre-fork ledger rather than launching with a separate token sale or ICO allocation.

The network targets approximately 10-minute blocks and follows Bitcoin's 210,000-block subsidy halving interval. The subsidy schedule therefore reduces the amount of newly created XBT by half at each 210,000-block interval.

The Bitcoin BLAKE2b chain inherited approximately 20.0676 million coins in nominal subsidy-derived supply through the last common block before the fork. New XBT enters circulation through Proof of Work block subsidies and transaction fees paid to miners.

Block 961,640 activated BLAKE2b Proof of Work. The change in hashing algorithm does not create a separate token contract or smart-contract asset because XBT is the native asset of its own Layer 1 blockchain.

The current mining software also applies an extended maturity period to newly mined coinbase rewards. Under the current documented implementation, newly mined rewards require approximately 6,480 blocks before becoming spendable, compared with Bitcoin's traditional 100-block coinbase maturity.

Temporary consensus rules introduced with the BLAKE2b activation limit blocks to 800,000 weight units, approximately 300 kB serialized, while the temporary data-storage restrictions remain active. These restrictions are scheduled to expire on September 1, 2027 based on the previous block's median time past, while BLAKE2b Proof of Work remains permanent.

Roadmap

Bitcoin BLAKE2b's current development is focused on maintaining the BLAKE2b consensus implementation, compatible node software, mining infrastructure, and network services required to operate the blockchain.

The BLAKE2b Proof of Work transition is already active on mainnet and is permanent. Bitcoin Knots 29.4.2 is documented as the current node software for mainnet, with the project providing instructions for upgrading existing Bitcoin data directories to the BLAKE2b chain.

Mining infrastructure remains an active development area. The project documents the use of DATUM Gateway with Bitcoin Knots and identifies BLAKE2b-compatible mining hardware as the required hardware for producing valid blocks after block 961,640.

The temporary reduced-data rules remain scheduled through September 1, 2027. The project documentation states that BLAKE2b remains active after the temporary restrictions expire.

Development also includes the continued maintenance of the version 2 block-header implementation, the opt-in SIGHASH_UNIFIED transaction signature format, and the consensus rules required for the BLAKE2b chain.

Long-term development is centered on maintaining a Bitcoin-compatible UTXO payment network while operating under BLAKE2b Proof of Work and the project's current consensus rules.