In the dynamic and often chaotic world of cryptocurrency, nicknames and community-driven labels carry significant weight. One such term that has captured the imagination of traders and enthusiasts alike is the so-called "crown prince" of crypto—a title that refers to Bitcoin Cash (BCH). But what exactly does this nickname mean, and why has BCH earned such a prominent label in the digital asset space?
The Origin of Bitcoin Cash: A Hard Fork with a Mission
On August 1, 2017, a major split occurred in the Bitcoin network. Led by figures like Wu Jihan and Roger Ver—often referred to as "Bitcoin Jesus"—a faction advocating for larger block sizes broke away from Bitcoin’s main chain. This group believed that Bitcoin should prioritize fast, low-cost transactions over being a digital store of value.
The result? Bitcoin Cash (BCH) was born.
Unlike Bitcoin (BTC), which stuck with 1MB blocks and adopted Segregated Witness (SegWit), BCH launched with 8MB blocks and no SegWit support. This hard fork was more than just a technical upgrade—it was a philosophical divergence. Supporters argued that increasing block size was the most straightforward way to scale Bitcoin and preserve its original purpose as peer-to-peer electronic cash.
👉 Discover how blockchain evolution shapes the future of digital assets.
At the time, BCH surged from hundreds of dollars post-fork to an all-time high of $4,100 by December 2017, capturing massive attention. Because BTC had now spawned a direct offspring through a hard fork, the crypto community began jokingly referring to these forks as “giving birth.” In this metaphorical royal family, BCH became known as the firstborn—the crown prince.
Why Is BCH Called the Crown Prince?
The term "crown prince" reflects both historical precedence and community sentiment. As the first major hard fork of Bitcoin with strong backing from miners, developers, and investors, BCH was seen as the most legitimate successor to Bitcoin’s throne—if Bitcoin were ever to falter.
But beyond the nickname, BCH holds several distinct identities within the crypto ecosystem:
1. The "True Bitcoin" (To Some)
A vocal segment of the international BCH community insists that Bitcoin Cash is the real Bitcoin. They emphasize adherence to Satoshi Nakamoto’s original whitepaper vision—especially the idea of decentralized peer-to-peer payments. For them, features like fixed 10-minute block times are sacred. As one common argument goes:
“If you want faster blocks, why not just use Litecoin?”
To these believers, BTC’s shift toward being “digital gold” strayed from its roots, while BCH stayed true to the mission.
2. The Heir Apparent
Primarily used in Chinese crypto circles, the term “crown prince” implies ambition. While BTC remains king, BCH is viewed as the potential successor, waiting in the wings to take over if market dynamics shift. This perspective is especially popular among speculative traders who monitor on-chain activity and adoption trends closely.
3. A Digital Payment Network
Many users see BCH not as a competitor to BTC but as a complementary system focused on real-world usability. With transaction fees often under $0.01 and confirmation times averaging 10 minutes, BCH functions efficiently as a global P2P electronic cash system. Merchants in countries like Venezuela, Nigeria, and parts of Southeast Asia have adopted it for everyday transactions.
4. The Big-Block Version of Bitcoin
To casual observers or newer investors, BCH may appear as nothing more than Bitcoin with bigger blocks. While technically reductive, this view isn’t entirely inaccurate—BCH did start as a block size upgrade. However, it has since evolved with additional improvements like Schnorr signatures and smart contract capabilities.
5. The Miner-Backed Contender
Due to strong early support from Bitmain, one of the largest mining hardware companies and pools at the time, BCH gained a reputation as the “miner’s coin.” This led to the nickname “mining霸币” (miner-dominant coin). While controversial—given concerns about centralization—the backing helped BCH secure hashing power and network stability during critical upgrades.
6. An Evolving Public Blockchain
Finally, a growing number of users view BCH pragmatically: as a public blockchain adapting to market demands. Every six months, the network undergoes scheduled upgrades aimed at improving scalability, privacy, and functionality. This iterative approach keeps BCH competitive in a fast-moving industry.
Technological Progress and Market Performance
Since its inception, Bitcoin Cash has undergone multiple successful upgrades:
- 2019 Upgrades: Introduction of Schnorr signatures, enhancing security and enabling more efficient multi-signature transactions.
- Transaction Finality: Most transactions on the BCH network are now considered irreversible after one confirmation, improving reliability for merchants.
- Regular Hard Forks: The network follows a predictable upgrade cycle every six months, allowing developers and stakeholders to plan ahead.
Despite market volatility—like dropping from highs to lows and recovering again—BCH has maintained a solid presence. As of recent data, its price hovered around $1590, showing signs of recovery after a downturn.
Market swings are normal for mature projects influenced by macroeconomic factors, regulatory news, and investor sentiment. As one popular meme in the community puts it:
“Bitcoin told me, ‘When have I ever gone up and not come back?’”
👉 See how top cryptocurrencies respond to market cycles and investor behavior.
Investment Strategy: Timing the Market vs. Strategic Accumulation
Many investors wait for the perfect bottom to buy in—but in highly volatile markets like crypto, the bottom is often only visible in hindsight. Instead of trying to time the market perfectly, a smarter strategy involves:
- Dollar-cost averaging (DCA)
- Buying at multiple support levels
- Holding through volatility
This method reduces risk and avoids emotional decision-making during sharp corrections.
Final Assessment: Is Bitcoin Cash Worth Holding?
Taking everything into account:
- ✅ Strong development team and consistent roadmap
- ✅ Proven track record of technical upgrades
- ✅ Low transaction costs and high throughput
- ✅ Active merchant adoption in emerging economies
- ✅ Resilient market performance despite bear cycles
Bitcoin Cash continues to evolve as a serious contender in the blockchain space—not necessarily to replace BTC, but to fulfill a different role: a usable, scalable digital currency.
For long-term holders who believe in the value of fast, cheap, and decentralized payments, BCH remains a compelling asset.
Personal Rating: 5/5
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why is Bitcoin Cash called the 'crown prince' of crypto?
A: Because it was the first major hard fork of Bitcoin with strong community and miner support, symbolizing a potential successor to Bitcoin’s dominance in the crypto ecosystem.
Q: Can Bitcoin Cash overtake Bitcoin?
A: While possible in theory, BTC currently leads in market cap, security, and global recognition. BCH focuses more on transaction utility rather than store-of-value status.
Q: Is Bitcoin Cash still relevant today?
A: Yes. With regular upgrades, active development, and real-world usage in payment systems across developing nations, BCH maintains relevance as a functional blockchain.
Q: How often does Bitcoin Cash upgrade its network?
A: Approximately every six months, following a pre-announced roadmap focused on scalability, privacy, and smart contract enhancements.
Q: What makes BCH different from BTC?
A: Larger block sizes (up to 32MB), lower fees, faster transaction processing for payments, and a development philosophy centered on on-chain scaling rather than layered solutions like Lightning Network.
Q: Should I invest in Bitcoin Cash?
A: It depends on your investment goals. If you're looking for exposure to a mature digital currency with strong fundamentals and payment use cases, BCH can be a valuable part of a diversified portfolio.
👉 Start exploring top-tier digital assets with advanced trading tools today.