What is BCH: The Pioneering Bitcoin Cash Cryptocurrency Explained

Bitcoin Cash's Positioning and Significance

In 2017, ViaBTC launched Bitcoin Cash (BCH), aiming to address scalability issues in the Bitcoin network. As a "fork of Bitcoin focused on on-chain scaling", Bitcoin Cash plays a crucial role in the cryptocurrency payment sector.

As of 2025, Bitcoin Cash has become the 17th largest cryptocurrency by market cap, with a market capitalization of $9,886,606,155 and an active developer community. This article will delve into its technical architecture, market performance, and future potential.

Origins and Development History

Birth Background

Bitcoin Cash was created by ViaBTC in 2017, aiming to solve the scalability problems of the original Bitcoin network. It was born during the heated debates over Bitcoin's block size, with the goal of providing faster and cheaper transactions by increasing the block size. Bitcoin Cash's launch brought new possibilities for cryptocurrency as a medium of exchange.

Important Milestones

• 2017: Mainnet launched, implementing larger 8MB blocks for increased transaction throughput.
• 2017: Hard forked from the original Bitcoin blockchain on August 1st.
• 2018: Experienced its lowest price of $76.93 on December 16th.
• 2017: Reached its all-time high price of $3,785.82 on December 20th.

With support from its community and various development teams, Bitcoin Cash continues to optimize its technology, security, and real-world applications.

How Does Bitcoin Cash Work?

No Central Control

Bitcoin Cash operates on a decentralized network of computers (nodes) spread across the globe, free from control by banks or governments. These nodes collaborate to verify transactions, ensuring system transparency and resistance to attacks, granting users greater autonomy and improving network resilience.

Blockchain Core

Bitcoin Cash's blockchain is a public, immutable digital ledger that records every transaction. Transactions are grouped into blocks and linked through cryptographic hashes to form a secure chain. Anyone can view the records, establishing trust without intermediaries. The increased block size of 8MB improves performance and transaction capacity.

Ensuring Fairness

Bitcoin Cash uses a Proof of Work (PoW) consensus mechanism to validate transactions and prevent fraudulent activities like double-spending. Miners maintain network security through computational work and receive BCH rewards. Its innovation includes larger blocks for higher transaction throughput.

Secure Transactions

Bitcoin Cash uses public-private key encryption to protect transactions:

• Private keys (like secret passwords) are used to sign transactions
• Public keys (like account numbers) are used to verify ownership

This mechanism ensures fund security, with transactions remaining pseudonymous. Additional features include the new difficulty adjustment algorithm introduced during the fork.

BitcoinCash's Market Performance

Circulation Overview

As of November 14, 2025, BitcoinCash's circulating supply is 19,952,787.39665078 coins, with a total supply of 19,952,840.52165078. The maximum supply is capped at 21,000,000 coins, following a deflationary model similar to Bitcoin.

Price Fluctuations

BitcoinCash reached its all-time high of $3,785.82 on December 20, 2017, driven by the overall cryptocurrency bull market and increased adoption.

Its lowest price was $76.93, occurring on December 16, 2018, likely due to the broader crypto market downturn and regulatory uncertainties.

These fluctuations reflect market sentiment, adoption trends, and external factors affecting the cryptocurrency space.

Click to view the current BCH market price

On-chain Metrics

• Daily Transaction Volume: 7,589,403.00329 BCH (indicating network activity)
• Active Addresses: 31,627,135 (reflecting user engagement)

BCH Ecosystem Applications and Partnerships

Core Use Cases

BCH's ecosystem supports various applications:

• Payments: Bitcoin Cash enables fast and low-cost peer-to-peer transactions.
• DeFi: Projects like SmartBCH provide smart contract functionality for decentralized finance applications.

Strategic Collaborations

BCH has established partnerships with various businesses and organizations to promote adoption and use cases. These partnerships contribute to the expansion of the BCH ecosystem.

Controversies and Challenges

BCH faces the following challenges:

• Technical Issues: Scaling debates and network upgrades.
• Regulatory Risks: Potential scrutiny from financial regulators.
• Competitive Pressure: Competition from other cryptocurrencies and payment systems.

These issues have sparked discussions within the community and market, driving continuous innovation for BCH.

BCH Community and Social Media Atmosphere

Fan Enthusiasm

The BCH community is active, with significant daily transaction volumes and growing wallet addresses. On X, posts and hashtags related to BCH often trend, reflecting community engagement. Factors such as price movements and network upgrades often ignite community enthusiasm.

Social Media Sentiment

Sentiment on X shows a mix of opinions:

• Supporters praise BCH's low fees and fast transactions, viewing it as a true peer-to-peer electronic cash system.
• Critics focus on issues such as price volatility and market competition.

Recent trends show varied sentiment depending on market conditions and developments.

Hot Topics

X users actively discuss BCH's adoption, technological developments, and its role in the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem.

More Information Sources for BCH

• Official Website: Visit Bitcoin Cash website for features, use cases, and latest updates.
• GitHub: Explore BCH development on GitHub repositories.
• Reddit: Join discussions on the r/btc subreddit.

BCH Future Roadmap

• Ongoing: Continuous improvements to scalability and transaction efficiency.
• Ecosystem Goals: Expand adoption and increase the number of BCH-supporting businesses.
• Long-term Vision: Become a widely used global payment system.

How to Participate in BCH?

1. Purchase Channels: Buy BCH on Gate.com.
2. Storage Solutions: Use hardware wallets or software wallets for secure storage.
3. Participate in Governance: Engage in community discussions and debates.
4. Build on the Ecosystem: Develop applications or contribute to the BCH codebase.

Summary

BCH redefines digital currency through blockchain technology, offering transparency, security, and efficient payments. Its active community, rich resources, and market presence make it stand out in the cryptocurrency space. Despite facing challenges such as regulatory uncertainties and technical hurdles, BCH's innovative spirit and clear roadmap position it as a significant player in the future of decentralized technologies. Whether you're a newcomer or an experienced user, BCH is worth following and engaging with.

FAQ

What is BCH used for?

BCH is used for fast, low-cost peer-to-peer transactions, online payments, and as a store of value in the crypto ecosystem.

Which is better, BTC or BCH?

Both BTC and BCH have their strengths. BTC is more widely adopted and seen as a store of value, while BCH offers faster and cheaper transactions. The choice depends on individual needs and use cases.

Is BCH a good investment?

BCH shows potential as a solid investment in 2025, with its improved scalability and growing adoption in digital payments. Its lower fees and faster transactions make it attractive for both users and investors.

Which is better, BTC, BCH or ETH?

Each has its strengths. BTC is the most established, BCH offers faster transactions, and ETH supports smart contracts. The 'best' depends on your specific needs and investment goals.