Thoughts on the next 'stress test'

[Mike Hearn]

I just found this article:

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/coinwallet-plans-bitcoin-dust-attack-september-create-30-day-transaction-backlog-1515981

It appears that CoinWallet.eu is doing these stress tests to spur XT/biggerblocks adoption. They plan to generate a 200 megabyte/30 day backlog next month.

I'd like to state publicly that this is a terrible idea, and we do not condone this sort of thing at all. 

CoinWallet - you should consider this. The best case scenario for your plan is that the moment you begin their DoS attack, everyone suddenly agrees with you and miner/node adoption of BIP 101 goes to 100%. But BIP 101 specifies that activation of the new block size isn't until January. So even if this were to happen, it would not help at all - there'd still be a huge backlog that causes pain for ordinary users, miners and node operators. It can only cause damage.

You have made your point quite clear with the previous transaction floods. There is no need to ramp it up even further: everyone understands already. 

Additionally:

• The Bitcoin XT project does not need or want this kind of "help", as the arguments for it are strong and stand alone.
  
  
• DoS attacks are illegal in the UK. As you have stated you believe this will cripple your competitors, criminal intent could be argued. It isn't worth risking a criminal investigation to simply encourage adoption of bigger blocks.
  
  
• The 150 BTC you are using for this attack is worth nearly $40,000. Given the ongoing censorship of all XT related topics by Michael Marquardt, that money would be much better spent on advertising, to reach out to people who otherwise could not learn about the project. Do something constructive instead of destructive instead.
  

I will send this message to in...@coinwallet.eu as well.

[Washington Sanchez]

Theymos added fuel to the fire of XT adoption by his rampant censorship on /r/Bitcoin and the bitcointalk forums. This stress test will likely erode this goodwill and backfire.

[Andrew LeCody]

Thank you Mike for the clear statement denouncing this "stress test" (attack).

On Tue, Aug 18, 2015 at 5:07 PM Washington Sanchez <washingto...@gmail.com> wrote:

Theymos added fuel to the fire of XT adoption by his rampant censorship on /r/Bitcoin and the bitcointalk forums. This stress test will likely erode this goodwill and backfire.

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