Ripple’s David Schwartz Explains Why Exchanges May Avoid Bitcoin BLAKE2b

Ripple CTO Emeritus David Schwartz has weighed in on the debate over why major cryptocurrency exchanges such as Coinbase and Kraken have yet to support Bitcoin BLAKE2b, a Bitcoin-derived asset operating on a separate blockchain.

The discussion emerged after a user on X questioned why exchanges and wallet providers that previously supported Bitcoin forks have seemingly ignored Bitcoin BLAKE2b. The user pointed to earlier forked cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin SV, which gained listings and trading support across major platforms.

Bitcoin BLAKE2b is a separate blockchain that originated from Bitcoin but uses the BLAKE2b mining algorithm rather than Bitcoin’s traditional SHA-256 algorithm. Like other Bitcoin forks, the network shares transaction history with Bitcoin up to the point where the two chains diverged.

Schwartz suggested that the lack of exchange support could be related to technical and security concerns rather than simply a decision about the asset’s market potential. In particular, cryptocurrency exchanges may need to implement safeguards against replay attacks and other vulnerabilities that can arise when supporting newly split blockchain networks.

Replay protection is designed to prevent a transaction intended for one blockchain from being unintentionally reproduced or accepted on another chain. This can become an important consideration when two networks share the same transaction history before a fork.

According to Schwartz, engineering flaws involving a newly forked cryptocurrency could potentially expose users to losses if exchanges do not establish adequate protections. Platforms therefore need to ensure their infrastructure can safely distinguish transactions occurring on each network.

His comments offer a possible technical explanation for why Bitcoin BLAKE2b has received a different response from exchanges compared with established Bitcoin forks such as Bitcoin Cash.

While Schwartz did not confirm the specific reasons Coinbase, Kraken or wallet providers have avoided the asset, his remarks highlight the security and engineering work exchanges may consider before adding support for a new Bitcoin fork.