Sia Blockchain Network Shares New Hard Fork Code to Ban Crypto ASIC Miners

Sia blockchain network released a formula code for an imminent hard fork, which will block miners from using hardware produced by Bitmain and other manufacturers.

CEO and founder of Nebulous David Vorick announced that it has released a code version 1.3.6 in sia’s official channel on Discord Tuesday. Miners are reminded that the hard fork will be activated on October 31.

Vorick stated, “All users who want to stay on the Sia network need to upgrade prior to the hard fork date. All major exchanges will be participating in the hard fork.” CoinDesk further reported, that after a year of debate, the sia blockchain community decided to enact a hard fork in October. After activation, it will release a new code and ensure that only application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) processors designated by Nebulous’s subsidiary Obelisk, which can be used to mine the network to block rewards.

Other ASIC miners, including ones produced by Bitmain and Inoosilicon, are scheduled to become blocked by the end of the month. Bitmain launched AntMiner A3 in January, which targets the nwtork’s token siacoin and adding support for siacoin on its mining pool, AntPool.

Vorick also stated in his Tuesday post that the new code will include updates to resist Sybil attacks. This will create fake identities to exploit a network and “other methods that could be used to manipulate a host of unfairly into the top ranks.”

Miners who are not interested in aligning with the hard fork have an alternative option offered by sia’s network. The version alternative, 1.3.5 was released along version 1.36 and it fixes detected security issues, while also omitting hard fork portion of the code. As Vorick wrote, “The only difference between v1.3.5 and v.1.3.6 is the activation of the hardfork, meaning that users can safely upgrade the v1.3.5.”