Bitcoin Forum

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2018-   New new rank requirements (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3232693)

The ranking system incorporates Activity and Merit alongside new metrics like Politeness, Imagination, and Virtue. Stats are plotted on a grid and analyzed via Conway's Game of Life to determine rank advancement. Updates occur weekly, with a limit of one rank progression per week.

2019-   KYC now required (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5124947)

Theymos played an April Fools' prank by announcing a KYC form that never collected any data. Verification badges were randomly assigned, and "serious selfies" added a humorous touch. The joke satirized blockchain security measures while encouraging fun among users.

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2020-   April fools 2020 "virus" (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5237250)

The virus infection spread between adjacent posts with a 50% probability, and symptoms gradually appeared, such as corrupted names and posts.

2021-   Introducing NFTs for forum members (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5327661)

This April Fools' prank from 2020 introduced "fNFTs" as tradeable assets based on user activity. It claimed to use a "blockless blockchain database" for fast, fee-free transactions and automatically detected users' Bitcoin holdings. Features included acquiring NFTs based on rarity, purchasing random ones for 50 BTC, and trading them like digital collectible cards.

2022-   IQ testing now required before posting (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5392430)

An extreme measure was established to improve the quality of the forum, requiring users to answer intelligence questions before posting. IQ scores would determine posting eligibility, and those with an IQ below 120 would be banned.

2023-   New CAPTCHA now required before posting (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5447077)

An advanced AI-powered CAPTCHA designed to limit low-value posts by identifying individuals with low IQ. Its difficulty adjusts based on topic activity and the user's posting frequency, with options to modify size or settings. Currently in beta, it only displays warnings, but stricter enforcement is planned soon.

2024-   Adjustments to Merit calculation (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5491135)

A "merit cost" is introduced for posting on the forum, deducting one Merit point for every 15 characters posted. The aim is to discourage low-value posts, while balancing the penalty with a bonus system that rewards Merit points for reading posts.

2025-   Replacing the merit system (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5536913)

The "pMerit" system is introduced as a skill-based ranking method in the forum, where users gain or lose pMerit by playing "Merit Poker." Based on a simplified version of Texas Hold 'Em, participants bet pMerit to compete and demonstrate their intelligence.