Is the Bitcoin Core blockchain compatible with BitcoinABC?

[BillyBobZorton]

If I want to set a BitcoinABC node in another computer in order to dump my BCash, can I just copy-paste the Bitcoin Core blockchain files into BitcoinABC's folder to speed up the syncing?

What precise files should I copy-paste? Im not sure if I should copy-paste the "blocks" folder, or both the "blocks" folder and the "chainstate" folders.

Any other files I should copy there?

[achow101]

If your blockchain is synced to be past the fork point, then you should not copy the chainstate. If that is the case, then only copy the blocks folder and run ABC with -redinex-chainstate so that it builds its own correct chainstate.

If you are not synced past the fork point, then it is fine to copy both the blocks and chainstate folders.

[BillyBobZorton]

If your blockchain is synced to be past the fork point, then you should not copy the chainstate. If that is the case, then only copy the blocks folder and run ABC with -redinex-chainstate so that it builds its own correct chainstate.

If you are not synced past the fork point, then it is fine to copy both the blocks and chainstate folders.

Ok I get it. Unfortunately I opened my Bitcoin Core post-fork so I will need to generate the chainstate folder inside the BitcoinABC client. Any way to calculate how much time that takes given your CPU specifications?

Also, should I send all of my coins to another wallet before copy-pasting the wallet.dat into the BitcoinABC folder? I heard this step improves security.

But im going to be wasting a ton of money in fees? I have got a ton of small 20 dollar-ish payments across years and I dont want to link my entire wallet into a single transaction... this is an huge problem. It could take me ages to move everything independently to maintain privacy.

[HCP]

Ok I get it. Unfortunately I opened my Bitcoin Core post-fork so I will need to generate the chainstate folder inside the BitcoinABC client. Any way to calculate how much time that takes given your CPU specifications?

Not really...

Also, should I send all of my coins to another wallet before copy-pasting the wallet.dat into the BitcoinABC folder? I heard this step improves security.

It provides protection from a "rouge" wallet... if it attempts to steal your keys, it will only be able to access your BCC... as all your BTC's will have been moved to different key(s)...

But im going to be wasting a ton of money in fees? I have got a ton of small 20 dollar-ish payments across years and I dont want to link my entire wallet into a single transaction... this is an huge problem. It could take me ages to move everything independently to maintain privacy.

Well that is something you need weigh up... fees vs. time vs. privacy vs. security. You don't have to move your BTC if you trust BitcoinABC. You don't have to spend the time or the fees if you just move them all in one go.

[BillyBobZorton]

Well that is something you need weigh up... fees vs. time vs. privacy vs. security. You don't have to move your BTC if you trust BitcoinABC. You don't have to spend the time or the fees if you just move them all in one go.

It's not only about trusting the software itself (BitcoinABC) but about trusting the exchange.

Think about it: You would be sending your entire Bitcoin savings into a single point of failure, which is linked to an exchange, which may or not have your personal data, including IP, real name, real address, picture of your ID if you want bigger withdraw limit...

They would have everything they need to screw you up badly. And I don't trust exchanges. I have seen exchanges betray people, get inside jobs, hacks... I have been here since Mt Gox, and the more privacy and security measures you take the better.

[HCP]

It's not only about trusting the software itself (BitcoinABC) but about trusting the exchange.

Think about it: You would be sending your entire Bitcoin savings into a single point of failure, which is linked to an exchange, which may or not have your personal data, including IP, real name, real address, picture of your ID if you want bigger withdraw limit...

Errrr why are you sending all your BTC to an exchange?

The new BTC wallet can be any BTC wallet (ie. a software wallet on your PC, a hardware wallet, a paper wallet or an exchange etc)... where you send it is up to you. The point is to put your BTC on a different seed/keys, so that should the BCC wallet you choose to use be "Bad"™ and steal your seed/keys... the thief will only be able to access your BCC, as your BTC is already some place else.

[BillyBobZorton]

It's not only about trusting the software itself (BitcoinABC) but about trusting the exchange.

Think about it: You would be sending your entire Bitcoin savings into a single point of failure, which is linked to an exchange, which may or not have your personal data, including IP, real name, real address, picture of your ID if you want bigger withdraw limit...

Errrr why are you sending all your BTC to an exchange?

The new BTC wallet can be any BTC wallet (ie. a software wallet on your PC, a hardware wallet, a paper wallet or an exchange etc)... where you send it is up to you. The point is to put your BTC on a different seed/keys, so that should the BCC wallet you choose to use be "Bad"™ and steal your seed/keys... the thief will only be able to access your BCC, as your BTC is already some place else.

It doesn't matter if its BTC or BCC, the point is,  you would be sending your entire Bitcoin savings (in whichever blockchain) and the exchange would know, because generally exchanges don't create more than 1 deposit address by account, which means, you would be telling them (I got all of these coins, all of these addresses are mine).

Also with some simple blockchain inspection, they can see that you moved your coins from wallet A to wallet B after the split, so they can also find your BTC savings.

Bitcoin's lack of fungibility: an huge problem.

[HCP]

I'm still not understanding why you're even sending coins to an exchange? Is your focus on exchanges simply because you want to dump your BCC before it dies? If so, then your desire for "free money" is your issue.

You'll either have to work for it by sending numerous transactions to different exchanges and absorb the costs involved (time and fees) in an effort to protect your privacy... or simply transfer it all in one go and accept the hit to your privacy...

I would think the best way is to probably consolidate all your funds into a mixer... You either do it in one hit and link all your addresses... or you do it over numerous transactions (maybe groups of 5-10?)...

Granted, mixing isn't a 100% perfect solution and, with higher level analysis, it can be possible to track coins in and out of a mixer with a degree of certainty... but it'll stop your average joe from being able to track your coins.

Also, the lack of BCC compatible mixers might be problematic.

[|Bitkoin|]

No, it is not. Bitcoin Core isn't even compatible with Bitcoin Cash, so obviously it won't be compatible with BitcoinABC.

[DooMAD]

It's not only about trusting the software itself (BitcoinABC) but about trusting the exchange.

Think about it: You would be sending your entire Bitcoin savings into a single point of failure, which is linked to an exchange, which may or not have your personal data, including IP, real name, real address, picture of your ID if you want bigger withdraw limit...

Errrr why are you sending all your BTC to an exchange?

The new BTC wallet can be any BTC wallet (ie. a software wallet on your PC, a hardware wallet, a paper wallet or an exchange etc)... where you send it is up to you. The point is to put your BTC on a different seed/keys, so that should the BCC wallet you choose to use be "Bad"™ and steal your seed/keys... the thief will only be able to access your BCC, as your BTC is already some place else.

It doesn't matter if its BTC or BCC, the point is,  you would be sending your entire Bitcoin savings (in whichever blockchain) and the exchange would know, because generally exchanges don't create more than 1 deposit address by account, which means, you would be telling them (I got all of these coins, all of these addresses are mine).

Also with some simple blockchain inspection, they can see that you moved your coins from wallet A to wallet B after the split, so they can also find your BTC savings.

Bitcoin's lack of fungibility: an huge problem.

I'm with HCP in that I'm not seeing the problem.  My primary objection is you don't have to use one single exchange.  There are loads of them.  Plus with the amount of volume exchanges generally see, any addresses you might use are pretty much the equivalent of white noise to them.  I doubt anyone is looking that closely.  But if you still want to be on the safe side, you could run your funds through a mixer while dividing them into any fraction you want and send those fractions to any number of addresses you wish to freshly generate, then each address can deposit funds to any number of different exchanges.  So even if one exchange did fail, you'd still have funds on others.  You would only be sending your entire balance to a single exchange if you freely choose to do so.  It's not a mandatory requirement unless you've been reading some really weird instructions that are definitely wrong.  It's entirely up you you how far you want to go to protect your privacy and security.

I'm assuming the lack of a mixer for BCC/BCH isn't an issue unless you're actually worried about those being traced, which I somewhat doubt if your goal is to dump them.  All the exchange would know for sure is that at some point, that original address you're worried about held all those coins, but then they started moving and the exchange wouldn't know who has them now.  And again, upon leaving the exchange with your newly acquired BTC, you can utilise a mixer before sending the funds back to your desired address (obviously different to the starting one).