Developers backing BIP-110 are preparing a separate BLAKE2b proof-of-work chain for a proposed September 1 launch after an earlier BIP-110 minority branch failed to win meaningful SHA-256 mining support. The original BIP-110 soft fork sought temporary limits on arbitrary nonfinancial data rather than a proof-of-work change; its enforcing branch produced only two blocks and entered its mandatory phase with 2.53% miner support. The planned BLAKE2b network is a distinct hard fork that would replace SHA-256d mining so supporters need not rely on Bitcoin’s dominant hash rate, with a pre-launch rehearsal that could be preserved in a Bitcoin Knots 29.4.1 release if successful. No major exchange, wallet or Lightning implementation had publicly committed support before the target date, leaving market access, client compatibility and replay risk unresolved. An August 31 exchange between BIP-110 supporter Loogart and Ripple co-founder David Schwartz, who previously served as Ripple’s chief technology officer, underscored contested framing over whether the breakaway continues a failed attempt to change Bitcoin’s main chain. Separately, Luke Dashjr left OCEAN after protocol and mining disagreements, with the pool repurchasing his equity after he resigned as chairman, chief technology officer and director.