ECX Beta is now live.
The eCash (ECX) Bitcoin fork has entered its second public testing stage, moving the network from Alpha to Beta around Bitcoin block ~967,680.
A new Beta network is now active, a dedicated ECX Beta Explorer is available, and Bitcoin holders can begin examining the second practice-stage state of the network.
But one distinction is essential:
Beta ECX is Practice ECX. It is not the permanent ECX that will be established at Mainnet.
The permanent stage comes next.
ECX Mainnet is planned for approximately Bitcoin block ~973,728, around October 31, 2026.
This article explains what changed with Beta, what happened to Alpha, how the new Beta snapshot works, how to explore the network, and what Bitcoin holders should understand before Mainnet.
Useful links:
ECX Has Officially Moved From Alpha to Beta
The ECX launch is structured as three separate stages:
| Stage | Approx. Bitcoin Block | Status | Asset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha | ~963,648 | Completed | Practice ECX |
| Beta | ~967,680 | LIVE | Practice ECX |
| Mainnet | ~973,728 | Next | Permanent ECX |
Alpha was the first live rehearsal.
Beta is the second.
Mainnet is the permanent network.
The transition to Beta therefore does not mean that permanent ECX has launched. Instead, it means the project has entered another live testing period before permanent balances are established.
For Bitcoin holders, the most important rule remains simple:
Alpha tested the network. Beta tests it again. Mainnet determines permanent ECX.
What Happened at Bitcoin Block ~967,680?
Beta uses a later Bitcoin starting state than Alpha.
Alpha began around Bitcoin block ~963,648.
Beta begins around ~967,680.
At the Beta starting point, the ECX network references the Bitcoin ledger again and establishes corresponding Practice ECX balances for the Beta environment.
This matters because Bitcoin continues operating normally between ECX stages.
BTC can move.
Wallet balances can change.
Coins can move from one address to another.
As a result, the Bitcoin state recorded for Beta does not have to match the earlier Alpha state.
For example, imagine a Bitcoin address held:
1 BTC at Alpha
but that BTC was moved to another address before Beta.
The Alpha and Beta practice allocations may therefore be different.
Each stage has its own Bitcoin starting state.
That same principle will apply again when Mainnet begins.
Beta ECX Is Practice ECX — Not Permanent ECX
This is the most important distinction to understand during the Beta period.
ECX visible on Beta is a practice-stage asset.
It may also be described as Practice ECX or pECX.
The purpose of Beta is to let miners, wallet developers, infrastructure providers and users continue interacting with the network before permanent ECX exists.
That can include testing:
- mining;
- transactions;
- wallets;
- blockchain synchronization;
- explorers;
- ECX access procedures;
- coin splitting;
- replay-protection workflows;
- Drivechain-related infrastructure.
The fact that Beta is a live network does not make its coins permanent Mainnet ECX.
Permanent ECX begins with Mainnet.
The New ECX Beta Explorer Is Live
One of the clearest signs of the transition is the launch of a dedicated blockchain explorer for the Beta network.
ECX Beta Explorer:
https://explorer.beta.ecash.ninja/
The explorer provides a direct view into the Beta blockchain and can be used to follow network activity independently from Alpha.
Depending on the explorer data available, users can inspect information such as Beta blocks and transactions as the network progresses.
The Alpha network also remains historically useful.
Alpha and Beta should not be confused simply because both use Practice ECX.
They are separate stages with different Bitcoin starting points.
Alpha Explorer vs Beta Explorer
Alpha Explorer
Used to examine activity from the first ECX practice stage.
Beta Explorer
Used to examine the current second practice stage.
If you are trying to understand current Beta activity, use the Beta explorer rather than assuming Alpha explorer data represents the current network state.
Important: ECX visible on the Beta explorer represents the Beta practice network. It should not be interpreted as permanent Mainnet ECX.
What Did ECX Learn From Alpha?
Beta matters because Alpha was not merely a theoretical test.
It exposed the ECX network to live conditions.
Real SHA-256 mining power interacted with the network.
Wallets and infrastructure were tested.
Users experimented with transactions and coin separation.
One particularly visible Alpha event involved extremely rapid early block production.
When meaningful SHA-256 hashrate encountered a very low starting difficulty, blocks could initially be mined much faster than normal.
That behavior demonstrated why a staged launch can be useful.
A permanent blockchain should ideally not encounter its first real-world mining, wallet and infrastructure conditions only after permanent balances are already at stake.
Alpha provided the first rehearsal.
Beta gives the ecosystem another opportunity to test after those early observations.
Beta Is Not Simply "Alpha Again"
It would be easy to view Beta as another copy of Alpha with a different name.
That misses the purpose of the staged launch.
Alpha was the first live test.
It allowed the ecosystem to discover how the network behaved when miners, wallets, users and infrastructure interacted with it outside a purely controlled development environment.
Beta starts later and provides another testing period after the ecosystem has already had an opportunity to learn from Alpha.
Conceptually, the rollout is:
Alpha → learn
Beta → test again
Mainnet → go permanent
The goal is not to create three competing versions of ECX.
The goal is to reduce unknowns before permanent ECX balances exist.
What Happens to Alpha Now?
Alpha does not become Beta.
It also does not disappear from blockchain history.
Alpha remains the first ECX practice stage, beginning around Bitcoin block ~963,648.
Beta is a new stage with a new Bitcoin starting point around ~967,680.
That distinction matters because a Bitcoin address can have different balances at each stage.
The transition can therefore be represented as:
Bitcoin at ~963,648 → Alpha Practice ECX
Bitcoin at ~967,680 → Beta Practice ECX
Bitcoin at ~973,728 → Permanent Mainnet ECX
Beta does not retroactively modify the Alpha snapshot.
And when Mainnet arrives, Mainnet will not simply rename Beta.
Each stage has its own role.
Does My Alpha ECX Automatically Become Beta ECX?
No.
An Alpha balance should not automatically be assumed to be the same as a Beta balance.
Bitcoin continues operating between the two snapshot points.
If BTC moved between ~963,648 and ~967,680, the relevant address balances may also have changed.
For example:
- An address holds 1 BTC at Alpha.
- Alpha establishes 1 Practice ECX for that stage.
- The BTC is moved to another Bitcoin address.
- Beta begins around ~967,680.
- Beta evaluates the later Bitcoin state.
The earlier Alpha result does not freeze the later Beta allocation.
This becomes even more important when thinking about Mainnet.
Does My Beta Balance Guarantee My Mainnet ECX?
No.
A Beta result is not a guaranteed preview of your permanent Mainnet allocation.
Mainnet will use its own Bitcoin starting state around block ~973,728.
Bitcoin transactions occurring between Beta and Mainnet can therefore affect which Bitcoin addresses are represented in the Mainnet state.
If your primary question is:
"How much permanent ECX will my Bitcoin receive?"
the Mainnet Bitcoin state is the one that ultimately matters.
Beta is useful for testing and preparation, but it should not be mistaken for the final permanent allocation.
What Happens at ECX Mainnet?
Mainnet is the third and permanent stage of the ECX launch.
It is currently planned for approximately October 31, 2026, around Bitcoin block ~973,728.
At the Mainnet activation point, Bitcoin addresses are intended to receive corresponding permanent ECX according to the fork's distribution rules.
The headline relationship is:
1 BTC = 1 ECX
If an eligible Bitcoin address holds 1 BTC at the relevant Mainnet state, the corresponding allocation is intended to be 1 permanent ECX on the eCash network.
This is an allocation — not a conversion.
Your Bitcoin is not exchanged for ECX.
BTC remains on Bitcoin.
ECX exists separately on eCash.
After the fork:
Bitcoin network → BTC
eCash network → ECX
The two assets can then develop independently.
Read the Bitcoin Snapshot Guide →
What About Practice ECX From Alpha and Beta?
Practice ECX has a different role from the permanent Bitcoin snapshot allocation.
The eCash launch design describes a mechanism through which Practice ECX can be burned to redeem real ECX at Mainnet according to the project's launch rules.
That means Practice ECX is not simply the same thing as a conventional disposable faucet coin.
However, two mechanisms should not be confused.
Mainnet Bitcoin Snapshot Allocation
Permanent ECX is credited according to eligible BTC ownership at the Mainnet starting point.
Practice ECX Redemption
Practice ECX from the testing stages may follow the project's burn-and-redemption mechanism for real ECX.
These are separate concepts.
The existence of a redemption mechanism does not turn the Beta blockchain itself into Mainnet.
Can I Check My ECX Beta Status Now?
Yes.
If you want to see whether a Bitcoin address is represented in the current Beta state, start with the ECX Claim Checker.
The checker uses a public Bitcoin address.
You do not need to provide:
- your Bitcoin private key;
- your recovery phrase;
- your seed phrase;
- your wallet password.
A public Bitcoin address can be used to inspect public blockchain information, but it cannot authorize spending from your wallet.
This makes public-address checking the appropriate first step before interacting with any process involving sensitive wallet credentials.
Do I Need to Claim Beta ECX Before Mainnet?
Do not treat Beta as a deadline for permanent ECX.
Beta is a practice stage.
Messages such as:
"Claim your permanent ECX before Beta ends"
or
"Enter your seed phrase now or lose your ECX"
should be treated with caution.
Checking whether a Bitcoin address appears in the Beta state does not require a recovery phrase or private key.
And the permanent Bitcoin-based ECX allocation is associated with the Mainnet state, not with rushing through a Beta claim process.
There is no reason to compromise wallet security because of artificial urgency.
Bitcoin Holders Should Also Understand Replay Risk
The transition to Beta is also a useful reminder that Bitcoin forks introduce a technical issue beyond simply viewing a second balance.
Replay protection on ECX is opt-in rather than automatic.
After a fork, BTC and ECX can share transaction history up to the fork point.
Until the assets are correctly separated, a transaction intended for one chain can under certain conditions also be valid on the other.
For example, sending affected BTC before properly separating BTC and ECX could potentially cause the corresponding ECX to move to the same recipient.
This is why coin splitting matters.
A proper split separates the transaction histories so the assets can subsequently be managed independently.
Splitting does not create ECX.
The snapshot creates the corresponding balance.
Splitting is the security procedure that allows the two assets to be used independently after the fork.
Do not move affected BTC simply because a new ECX stage has begun.
First understand the splitting process.
Read About ECX Replay Protection →
What If My Bitcoin Is on an Exchange?
The move to Beta does not change the basic custody rule.
The blockchain records Bitcoin addresses.
It does not know which customer account on an exchange economically owns part of a custodial balance.
If you hold BTC in self-custody, you control the keys associated with your Bitcoin addresses.
If an exchange or another custodian holds BTC on your behalf, that service controls the relevant blockchain keys.
Whether customers receive corresponding ECX therefore depends on the custodian's support and distribution policy.
Do not assume that an exchange will distribute ECX simply because it supports Bitcoin.
For direct control, the important distinction is whether you control the relevant Bitcoin keys.
What Should Bitcoin Holders Do During Beta?
Beta is primarily a period for verification, testing and preparation.
For most Bitcoin holders, there is no reason to turn it into a race.
A sensible sequence is:
1. Check Your Public Bitcoin Address
Use the ECX Claim Checker to understand the current Beta state.
2. Explore the Beta Network
Use the new Beta Explorer to observe the current network.
3. Understand the Three Snapshots
Do not confuse Alpha/Beta practice balances with Mainnet permanent balances.
4. Review Your Custody
Know whether you control the Bitcoin keys or depend on an exchange/custodian.
5. Learn About Replay Protection
Before Mainnet and before moving affected BTC, understand how BTC and ECX need to be separated.
6. Watch for Mainnet
The next major network milestone is approximately Bitcoin block ~973,728, currently planned around October 31, 2026.
That is the stage that matters for permanent ECX.
ECX Launch Timeline
Alpha — Completed
Bitcoin block: ~963,648
Asset: Practice ECX
Purpose: First live network test
Alpha introduced the first live ECX practice environment and exposed the network to miners, wallets, transactions and infrastructure under real conditions.
Beta — LIVE
Bitcoin block: ~967,680
Asset: Practice ECX
Purpose: Second live rehearsal
Beta is the current ECX stage.
A dedicated Beta explorer is now available, and users can inspect the second practice network independently from Alpha.
Mainnet — Next
Bitcoin block: ~973,728
Target: around October 31, 2026
Asset: Permanent ECX
Purpose: Permanent eCash network
Mainnet establishes permanent ECX according to the Bitcoin state at the Mainnet activation point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ECX Beta live?
Yes. ECX has entered its Beta stage around Bitcoin block ~967,680.
Is Beta ECX real ECX?
Beta ECX is a real asset on the live Beta practice network, but it is Practice ECX, not the permanent Mainnet ECX asset.
Where can I see the ECX Beta blockchain?
Use the dedicated ECX Beta Explorer:
https://explorer.beta.ecash.ninja/
Is Alpha over?
Alpha has completed its role as the first practice stage. Its blockchain history remains separate from Beta.
Does Alpha ECX automatically become Beta ECX?
No. Alpha and Beta use different Bitcoin starting points and are separate practice stages.
Does my Beta balance guarantee the same Mainnet balance?
No. Mainnet uses the Bitcoin state around ~973,728. Bitcoin balances can change between Beta and Mainnet.
Which ECX will be permanent?
Mainnet ECX.
Alpha and Beta use Practice ECX.
When is ECX Mainnet?
The current roadmap targets approximately October 31, 2026, around Bitcoin block ~973,728.
What is the Mainnet distribution?
The headline distribution is 1 BTC = 1 ECX according to the Bitcoin balance and applicable fork rules at Mainnet.
Does receiving ECX remove my BTC?
No.
BTC remains on Bitcoin. ECX exists separately on the eCash blockchain.
Do I need my private key to check Beta eligibility?
No.
The ECX Claim Checker requires only a public Bitcoin address.
Should I move my BTC now that Beta is live?
Do not move affected BTC merely because Beta has launched. Understand replay protection and coin splitting before moving fork-related balances.
Beta Is Live. Mainnet Is Next.
The ECX launch has now passed its first major testing milestone.
Alpha is complete.
Beta is live around ~967,680.
Mainnet is next around ~973,728.
For now, Beta provides another opportunity for miners, developers, wallet providers and Bitcoin holders to observe and test the network before permanent ECX begins.
If you hold Bitcoin, the safest first step remains the simplest one:
check your public Bitcoin address.
No private key.
No recovery phrase.
No need to move your Bitcoin.