<p>It is a Unix timestamp, but let me correct a minor detail:</p>

<p>The Y2.038 problem applies to a signed 32 bit number. The Bitcoin timestamp is unsigned, so it can represent the date for twice as long. Therefore, it will become a problem in 136.1 years, or in the year 2106.</p>

<p>Somewhen before then, there will need to be a hard fork.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-19T02:57:38.093Z
2015-12-19T02:57:38.093Z
Nick ODell
<p>I assume that when January 19, 2038  rolls around, there will be a plan for extending the time to more than four bytes.
 or is it the case that the four bytes are not UNIX time, or do not begin in 1970?</p>

<blockchain><bitcoin-core><block>
If Bitcoin time value is 4 bytes, is that Unix time from 1970?
bitcoy
# If Bitcoin time value is 4 bytes, is that Unix time from 1970?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-12-19)

I assume that when January 19, 2038 rolls around, there will be a plan for extending the time to more than four bytes.
or is it the case that the four bytes are not UNIX time, or do not begin in 1970?

**Tags:** blockchain, bitcoin-core, block


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-12-19. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

It is a Unix timestamp, but let me correct a minor detail:

The Y2.038 problem applies to a signed 32 bit number. The Bitcoin timestamp is unsigned, so it can represent the date for twice as long. Therefore, it will become a problem in 136.1 years, or in the year 2106.

Somewhen before then, there will need to be a hard fork.


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