The Bitcoin Cash (BCH) hard fork in November 2018 created significant developments across the cryptocurrency landscape. As one of the most anticipated network upgrades at the time, it introduced uncertainty, technical complexity, and new opportunities for holders. This guide breaks down what happened during the fork, how platforms like Coinbase responded, and what users needed to know to protect their assets and navigate the changes.
Understanding the Bitcoin Cash Hard Fork
A hard fork occurs when a blockchain undergoes a protocol upgrade that is not backward compatible, resulting in a permanent split into two separate chains. In mid-November 2018, Bitcoin Cash experienced such a split due to disagreements within the community over its future development path.
Two competing factions emerged:
- Bitcoin Cash ABC (Adjustable Blocksize Cap): Backed by the majority of developers and exchanges.
- Bitcoin SV (Satoshi’s Vision): A proposal aiming to restore what its supporters believed was the original Bitcoin protocol design.
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This division led to the creation of two distinct cryptocurrencies: BCH on the ABC chain and BSV on the SV chain. At the time of the fork, users who held BCH on supported platforms received an equivalent amount of BSV based on their BCH balance.
How Coinbase Handled the Fork
Coinbase, one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges, took a cautious and security-first approach to manage the hard fork and protect customer assets.
Key Actions Taken:
- Pre-Fork Preparations: Starting November 15, 2018, Coinbase paused all BCH-related activities — including buys, sells, sends, and receives — at 8:00 AM PST.
- Snapshot for Fork Distribution: A snapshot of user balances was taken immediately after trading halted to determine BSV eligibility.
- Security Monitoring: The team closely observed network stability, hash rate dominance, and consensus formation before resuming services.
On November 20, 2018, Coinbase confirmed that the ABC chain would retain the BCH ticker on its platform due to stronger community support, higher hashrate, and longer proof-of-work chain.
Service Restoration Timeline
Following the resolution of the so-called "hash war" between the two chains, Coinbase began restoring functionality gradually.
November 26 Update:
- Sends and receives for BCH were re-enabled across Coinbase Pro, Prime, Coinbase.com, and mobile apps.
- Full trading capabilities (buys and sells) were expected to return within two days.
- While BSV could not be traded or sold for fiat, users would eventually gain the ability to withdraw BSV to external wallets.
Development for BSV withdrawal functionality was estimated to take at least several weeks, depending on network conditions and internal testing.
Will You Receive Both BCH and BSV?
Yes — if you held BCH in your Coinbase account at the time of the fork (November 15, 2018), you were entitled to receive an equal amount of BSV once withdrawal support was implemented.
However, because Coinbase did not support BSV trading or fiat conversions, users wishing to access or trade BSV had to:
- Wait for withdrawal functionality to go live.
- Send their BSV to a third-party wallet or exchange that supported BSV trading.
👉 Learn how to securely manage multiple crypto assets after a hard fork.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hard fork?
A hard fork is a radical change to a blockchain’s protocol that makes previously invalid blocks or transactions valid — or vice versa. This results in a permanent divergence from the previous version of the blockchain.
Why did Bitcoin Cash split into BCH and BSV?
The split stemmed from ideological and technical disagreements. Bitcoin Cash ABC aimed for continued development with features like smart contracts, while Bitcoin SV advocated for larger block sizes and minimal changes to mimic early Bitcoin protocols.
Did I need to take action during the fork?
If you wanted full control over both resulting coins (BCH and potentially BSV), it was recommended to move your BCH off Coinbase before the snapshot. Users who left funds on Coinbase retained access to BCH immediately and gained eventual access to BSV via withdrawals.
Is my cryptocurrency safe during a hard fork?
Yes — reputable platforms like Coinbase ensure funds remain secure during forks. The exchange paused trading to prevent replay attacks and double-spending risks until network stability was confirmed.
Can I still get BSV from Coinbase today?
While this event occurred in 2018, eligible users received notifications when BSV withdrawal became available. If you held BCH at the time and haven’t withdrawn your BSV, check your account or contact support for legacy asset recovery options.
Why didn’t Coinbase support BSV trading?
Coinbase evaluated multiple factors including network stability, developer activity, community support, and regulatory considerations. At launch, BSV lacked sufficient market viability and long-term sustainability indicators to justify full integration.
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Final Thoughts on Cryptocurrency Forks
Hard forks are a natural part of blockchain evolution. While they can introduce volatility and confusion, they also reflect decentralized governance in action — where competing visions lead to innovation and choice.
For users, staying informed is crucial. Always monitor official announcements from your exchange, understand snapshot timelines, and consider self-custody if you want immediate control over forked tokens.
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By understanding how platforms handle forks — from pausing trades to enabling withdrawals — you can make smarter decisions about when to hold, move, or diversify your digital assets. Whether it’s BCH in 2018 or future upgrades in other networks, preparedness ensures your crypto journey remains secure and rewarding.