Bitcoin holders face potential exchange freezes as new chain rollout tests replay safety and market stability

Crypto exchange GMO Coin may suspend several Bitcoin services when eCash takes its first balance snapshot at block 963,648, expected around midnight Japan time on Aug. 23.eCash is a new Bitcoin-derived chain that plans to credit holders with a separate ECX asset. Its live roadmap now describes this weekend's event as an Alpha stage issuing practice ECX, rather than the final mainnet launch.GMO Coin's Aug. 7 notice says any suspension remains conditional, with both its start and end times undecided. The possible scope includes Bitcoin spot trading through GMO's dealer and exchange services, BTC/JPY crypto FX and leveraged trading, plus BTC deposits and withdrawals.That gives customers a decision point without a confirmed shutdown. GMO has not said whether the Alpha snapshot will trigger a pause or how long any interruption could last.eCash now shows three rollout stagesThe current eCash roadmap places Alpha at block 963,648 around Aug. 23, Beta at block 967,680 around Sept. 20, and Mainnet at block 973,728 around Oct. 31. The dates are estimates because the stages are tied to Bitcoin block production.Under eCash's current explanation, the Alpha and Beta snapshots credit practice ECX...