<p>Yes, this is currently happening.  There are many different implementations of the Bitcoin protocol.  You can see <a href="https://coin.dance/nodes/share" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a> the a graph of how many people are currently using different implementations.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-24T02:01:57.213Z
running a different implementation does not necessarily mean that you have a different chain.
JBaczuk
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-24T06:07:50.583Z
thanks this is helpful. I am researching for an article and just want to cover my bases. kudos.
Lets Talk Crypto
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-23T20:30:28.623Z
2019-06-23T20:30:28.623Z
benthecarman
<p>If someone forked the code without changing any of the fundamental properties and connected nodes / miners, could they not disrupt the main (original chain)? </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-23T15:28:38.287Z
What exactly *would* they change?  What do you mean by "disrupt"?
Nate Eldredge
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-23T21:35:30.827Z
I agree with Nate, you'll need to be more specific what remains the same and what changes to be able to get a good answer. For example, do you count the "Genesis Block" among the fundamental properties? Does the forked version use different ports, network magic, etc.?
Murch
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-24T02:03:53.047Z
if the forked nodes are able to communicate with original nodes (for block propagation), and the rules are all the same, then you would be on the same chain.
JBaczuk
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-06-24T06:06:42.537Z
So what I mean is this, Bitcoin in its current form running chain A, then someone comes along and runs a new version but from the genesis block again, so from 0 TX onwards without previous history. Would this not upset the current chain if the nodes connected to the same network or would the existing nodes simply reject it ?
Lets Talk Crypto
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-07-18T01:31:27.960Z
Full nodes would simply follow the best chain, which means that they would ignore this new chain and end up on the existing chain.
Murch
<altcoin>
Can two bitcoin chains co-exist if one copied the code and ran a parallel chain?
Lets Talk Crypto
# Can two bitcoin chains co-exist if one copied the code and ran a parallel chain?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-06-23)

If someone forked the code without changing any of the fundamental properties and connected nodes / miners, could they not disrupt the main (original chain)?

**Tags:** altcoin

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What exactly *would* they change?  What do you mean by "disrupt"?  
> **username_2**: I agree with Nate, you'll need to be more specific what remains the same and what changes to be able to get a good answer. For example, do you count the "Genesis Block" among the fundamental properties? Does the forked version use different ports, network magic, etc.?  
> **username_3**: if the forked nodes are able to communicate with original nodes (for block propagation), and the rules are all the same, then you would be on the same chain.  
> **username_0**: So what I mean is this, Bitcoin in its current form running chain A, then someone comes along and runs a new version but from the genesis block again, so from 0 TX onwards without previous history. Would this not upset the current chain if the nodes connected to the same network or would the existing nodes simply reject it ?  
> **username_2**: Full nodes would simply follow the best chain, which means that they would ignore this new chain and end up on the existing chain.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2019-06-23. Score: 1

Yes, this is currently happening. There are many different implementations of the Bitcoin protocol. You can see [here](https://coin.dance/nodes/share) the a graph of how many people are currently using different implementations.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: running a different implementation does not necessarily mean that you have a different chain.  
> **username_0**: thanks this is helpful. I am researching for an article and just want to cover my bases. kudos.  

---

