Bitcoin Fork’s Promise of Cheap Nodes Meets Its First Reality Check

Luke Dashjr, the developer behind Bitcoin Knots, told a supporter of his breakaway Bitcoin fork to “get a real computer” after a new rule forced the user’s Raspberry Pi node to resync.

Detractors were quick to criticise the response. For months, advocates of the fork had insisted that low-cost hardware should be able to operate a full node.

How the 45-Day Rule Affects the Bitcoin Fork

The fork split from the main blockchain in August and changed its mining algorithm to BLAKE2b on September 1. Since then, it has attracted almost no mining power and has not been listed on any major exchange.

This week, Dashjr announced that a new soft fork had become active on that chain. His pull request on Bitcoin Knots, the node software he maintains, locks newly mined coins for approximately 45 days rather than the standard 100 blocks.

Dashjr said the aim is to penalise pool operators who mine without verifying transactions. In his words, miners who do not do their job should not receive payment.

Nevertheless, the update backfired for at least one node operator. The user reported that it triggered an initial block download (IBD), requiring a full resynchronisation of the chain. He added that his Raspberry Pi would not be able to catch up before the 45-day period ended.

So get a real computer…?

— Luke Dashjr (@LukeDashjr) September 22, 2026

Critics Say the Argument About Node Costs Has Reversed

BIP-110, the proposal behind the fork, aimed to limit arbitrary data such as inscriptions on Bitcoin. Its backers argued that this “spam” makes it too expensive to run a node.

For critics, Dashjr’s reply appeared to be a contradiction. One Bitcoin educator remarked that the camp went from defending home nodes to demanding new hardware almost overnight.

We went from "spam will ruin everyone's ability to run a node" to "get a real computer" super fast. https://t.co/Y1YXpuW80H

— BTC Sessions 😎 (@BTCsessions) September 22, 2026

Another user asked where the acceptable hardware threshold lies. Dashjr responded that it depends on patience. He also blamed Bitcoin Core for increasing node costs long before BIP-110.

In the meantime, Dashjr continues to refer to the main chain as “Spamcoin.” He previously accused exchanges of selling fake Bitcoins. Now he calls it a centralized fiat airdrop, adding that a small cartel running it could seize users’ coins.

For now, the fork’s own users face the most demanding hardware challenge. The two remaining parts of the plan may determine whether any miners return.