Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Bitcoin (BTC) are separate cryptocurrencies that share transaction history only through Bitcoin’s August 1, 2017 fork at block 478558. Their central difference is a disagreement over scaling: BCH pursued more on-chain capacity, while Bitcoin’s roadmap included Segregated Witness (SegWit). Neither design choice makes the two assets interchangeable, and neither network is always cheaper to use.
How Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin became separate networks
Bitcoin Cash split from the Bitcoin chain supported by Bitcoin Core on August 1, 2017, at block 478558. The networks share transaction history up to that fork; after it, they maintain separate chains and currencies. BCH is not a new name for BTC or a later upgrade that both networks adopted.
The split grew out of a dispute about how to increase transaction capacity. Bitcoin Cash’s project account presents BCH as a response favoring greater on-chain capacity. Bitcoin’s historical capacity FAQ describes SegWit as part of its scaling approach. These are different design choices, not proof that either system delivers a particular real-world transaction rate.
Scaling: more on-chain capacity versus a broader approach
Bitcoin (BTC)
Bitcoin Core’s capacity FAQ, published December 7, 2015, discussed a roadmap that included SegWit. That document is historical, not a complete account of Bitcoin’s subsequent or current scaling developments. It supports the narrower point that SegWit was part of the capacity approach discussed at the time.
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BCH’s design emphasized increasing capacity on-chain. Its project site identifies Adaptive Blocksize Limit Algorithm (ABLA) activation in 2024. The project also says CashTokens added native fungible and non-fungible token capabilities in 2023. These milestones describe protocol changes; by themselves, they do not establish adoption, security outcomes, or measured throughput.
On-chain capacity choices can affect the resources needed to store and relay network data, which matters to people operating nodes. The available sources do not provide a current, comparable measurement of node costs or actual throughput for both networks, so a block-capacity goal should not be treated as a guaranteed transaction-per-second figure.
Fees: compare the networks at the time you plan to transact
Bitcoin.org explains that Bitcoin fees vary with demand for block space and transaction size, rather than simply the amount of money being transferred. Fees can change as network conditions change. BCH’s project site promotes lower-fee payments, but that project claim is not a same-time independent fee comparison.
There is no sound basis here for saying BTC is always more expensive or BCH is always cheaper. For a practical comparison, check reputable block explorers for both networks at the same time, compare estimates for transactions of similar size and priority, and note the timestamp. A single observation is only a snapshot.
Protocol changes and supply figures
Bitcoin Cash upgrades
BCH’s network upgrade record says the May 15, 2025 upgrade activated CHIP-2021-05 VM Limits and CHIP-2024-07 BigInt. Along with the 2023 CashTokens and 2024 ABLA milestones, this shows that BCH’s protocol has continued to change since the fork. It does not establish how widely any feature is used.
Bitcoin Cash supply
An issuer filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reported approximately 20.1 million BCH outstanding as of June 30, 2026, against a 21 million BCH limitation. A corresponding current BTC circulation figure is not established by the cited material, so these facts do not support a side-by-side supply comparison. Supply figures alone also say nothing about relative market value or investment merit.
Sending funds: BTC and BCH are not interchangeable
Because the networks diverged after the 2017 fork, a BTC transfer and a BCH transfer are transactions on different networks. Before sending, check that the receiving wallet or service supports the exact asset and network you intend to use, and verify the currency shown in both the send and receive screens. Do not assume that an address, deposit route, or transfer meant for one currency will work for the other. If anything is unclear, confirm the deposit instructions with the recipient before sending.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which one fits your use?
The choice depends on what you value and what you are trying to do—not on a universal winner. BTC and BCH have separate networks, different scaling approaches, and fees that change with demand. Compare current fees for your intended transaction, confirm wallet or service support for the exact asset, and consider whether the network’s design tradeoffs fit your needs. These technical differences are not, on their own, investment recommendations.
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