Bitcoin Controversy Renewed by Proposal to Redefine Satoshi Unit

The discussion around how Bitcoin can attain widespread acceptance has existed since its inception. While the community is focused on enhancing user experience, implementing custody options, engaging with regulators, and integrating institutions, John Carvalho, a core Bitcoin developer and CEO of Synonym, suggests a more straightforward approach: eliminate satoshis and the decimals to lessen complexity.

Revising the unit of Bitcoin could enhance usability

In a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) submitted in December 2024, Carvalho posits that removing the ‘satoshi’ terminology and the decimal points by substituting satoshis for bitcoins could simplify understanding and diminish unit bias, both of which are crucial for attracting new users.

As it stands, one bitcoin consists of 100 million smaller units known as “base units” or satoshis, which can’t be further divided. Carvalho’s suggestion is to redefine the term “bitcoin” to represent this smallest unit. In this revised scheme, what is currently identified as “1 bitcoin” would instead be termed “100 million bitcoins.”

For instance, a transaction now shown as 0.00010000 BTC would transform into 10,000 bitcoins, and 10.23486 BTC would be displayed as 1,023,486,000 bitcoins, reshaping the notion of what it means to be a bitcoin millionaire.

Resistance to transformation in the Bitcoin community

Bitcoin’s background is marked by heated discussions, from block size conflicts to the implementation of SegWit and ongoing disputes over NFTs on the blockchain. Predictably, Carvalho’s proposal has faced significant pushback since it was introduced late last year. Podcast host Stephan Livera ridiculed the concept on X, comparing it to referring to each slice of pizza as a whole pizza:

“Here’s a brilliant idea! Instead of one pizza with eight slices, let’s call each slice a pizza. Just be sure to order eight pizzas when you want to eat.”

Daniel Sempere Pico, the founder of Viral Bits, humorously remarked:

“It’s amusing to see how worked up people get about your idea,”

While other members of the community expressed worries over altering the total supply from 21 million to 2.1 quadrillion bitcoins, regarding the original supply as fundamental to Bitcoin’s character.

“Personally, I’m not in favor of changing the total supply from 21 million to 2.1 quadrillion. In a vast ocean of altcoins and excessive fiat, 21 million bitcoins symbolize a statement against monetary inflation.”

Restoring Satoshi to Bitcoin

There may be a small glimmer of interest in Carvalho’s idea, as he noted on X on April 25, 2025:

“While it’s still a minority opinion, more individuals are starting to take an interest in the notion of calling Bitcoin’s base units bitcoins and eliminating the decimal.”

Carvalho seems to be vigorously promoting his initiative, adopting a slogan reminiscent of Trump’s MAGA, and populating his X account with images of notable figures from the global economic circle, including Satoshi, Klaus Schwab, and Ursula von der Leyen, all wearing red caps with the phrase “Make Satoshi Bitcoin Again.”

The potential for the proposal to gain traction over time remains uncertain. However, the ongoing conversation underscores how even the smallest changes could potentially make Bitcoin more accessible to a broader audience.