The 10th anniversary of Bitcoin’s creation marks more than just a technological milestone—it’s a moment to reflect on the ideological battles, personal rivalries, and high-stakes wagers that have shaped the crypto world. Among the most dramatic chapters in this history is the ongoing feud between Jimmy Song, a respected Bitcoin educator, developer, and entrepreneur, and Roger Ver, the controversial figure known as “Bitcoin Jesus.” Their clash isn’t fought with weapons, but with words, pride, and increasingly, real money on the line.
This isn’t just a story about cryptocurrency predictions. It’s about credibility, accountability, and what happens when bold claims meet real-world consequences.
The Origins of a Crypto Feud
The tension began in May 2018 when Roger Ver made a provocative statement to The Independent, suggesting that Ethereum could overtake Bitcoin in market capitalization before the end of the year—and that Bitcoin Cash (BCH) might surpass Bitcoin by 2020. These comments, while framed cautiously with words like “could,” were quickly sensationalized by headlines declaring: “Bitcoin Jesus Predicts Ethereum Will Be Most Valuable Cryptocurrency by Year-End.”
Jimmy Song, known for his no-nonsense approach to Bitcoin purism, saw an opportunity. If Ver truly believed in his prediction, why not put money behind it?
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Song challenged Ver directly on Twitter: Would you bet on your own words? He proposed two clear wagers:
Ethereum vs Bitcoin (2019):
- If ETH surpassed BTC in market cap by January 1, 2019: Jimmy would pay Ver 500 ETH.
- If not: Ver would pay Jimmy 100 BTC.
Bitcoin Cash vs Bitcoin (2020):
- If BCH overtook BTC by January 1, 2020: Jimmy would pay 250 BCH.
- If not: Ver would pay 250 BTC.
Ver quickly backpedaled, arguing semantics: “Do you understand the difference between ‘could overtake’ and ‘would overtake’?” To Song, this was a tell—a sign of evasion. He smelled hesitation.
“The guy said – the guy did!” – Jimmy Song
Song accused Ver of using vague language to influence markets without accountability—a tactic he compared to political spin. The first round ended without a formal bet, but the stage was set.
Escalation: The $1 Million Challenge
By September 2018, tensions reignited during debates aboard the CoinsBank Cruise, where both men appeared. This time, Ver proposed a decade-long bet: $1 million USD, payable in whatever cryptocurrency the winner chose at settlement in 2028. The condition? Whichever chain—BTC or BCH—had higher market value would win.
But Jimmy wasn’t satisfied. He called the proposal weak—“lacking teeth”—and proposed stronger terms:
- 100 BTC to the winner, judged by the median market cap across CoinMarketCap, CoinCap.io, and Nomics on September 10, 2028.
Early termination clause:
- If 1 BCH > 1 BTC for any 24-hour volume-weighted average on CoinCap.io, Jimmy loses and pays immediately.
- If 1 BTC > 1 BCH under the same condition, Ver loses.
This was designed to hurt—especially if priced in BTC. As Song put it: “I wanted to make sure it hurts him.”
Ver responded with a counter-offer:
- Acceptance of the $1 million prize.
- Public registration via Longbets.org for reputational enforcement.
- Both parties to sign with crypto wallets holding over $10 million in assets.
- Winner donates part of the winnings to charity.
- Early trigger: 500:1 price ratio sustained for 30 days, not just 24 hours.
Jimmy accepted—with two conditions:
- The $1 million must be transferred within 14 days of the bet’s conclusion.
- At least 25% of proceeds must go to charity, chosen by the winner.
Core Themes: BTC vs BCH, Ideology vs Influence
At its heart, this rivalry reflects deeper divisions in the crypto community:
- Bitcoin (BTC) represents decentralization, scarcity, and long-term store-of-value philosophy.
- Bitcoin Cash (BCH) champions scalability through larger blocks, aiming for everyday transaction use.
Roger Ver has long been BCH’s most vocal advocate, investing heavily and promoting it through Bitcoin.com—a platform ironically named after the original Bitcoin. Critics argue this causes confusion and misrepresents Satoshi’s vision.
Jimmy Song, a staunch BTC maximalist, views BCH as a betrayal of Bitcoin’s core principles. His insistence on BTC-denominated bets isn’t just strategic—it’s symbolic.
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FAQ: Understanding the BTC vs BCH Debate
Q: Did Ethereum overtake Bitcoin by 2019?
A: No. As of January 1, 2019, Bitcoin maintained its dominant position in market capitalization. Ethereum remained second or third (after Ripple at times), but never surpassed BTC during that period.
Q: Did Bitcoin Cash overtake Bitcoin by 2020?
A: No. Despite short-term volatility, Bitcoin Cash has never come close to matching Bitcoin’s market cap. As of 2025, BTC remains over 50x larger than BCH in valuation.
Q: Was Roger Ver serious about the $1 million bet?
A: While he proposed it publicly, no verifiable funds have been locked or escrowed. Many in the community view it as rhetorical—unless secured transparently, it remains an unfulfilled challenge.
Q: Why does Jimmy Song insist on charity donations?
A: He didn’t oppose charity—he opposed using it as a smokescreen. His acceptance of the donation clause shows willingness to compromise, but only after ensuring enforceability.
Q: What does “skin in the game” mean here?
A: It refers to having real financial risk tied to one’s claims. Song argues Ver talks big but avoids meaningful accountability—something true believers should welcome.
The Bigger Picture: Accountability in Crypto
This feud transcends personalities. It highlights a critical issue: credibility in a space full of hype.
In traditional finance, analysts are judged by track records. In crypto, influencers often make bold claims without consequence. The Song-Ver saga is rare—a public demand for accountability.
Yet, despite multiple rounds of negotiation, no bet has been finalized. Why?
Possibly because:
- Ver may not want to risk losing $1 million on a long-shot prediction.
- Legal and logistical hurdles (e.g., cross-border enforcement) complicate large crypto bets.
- Reputation matters—losing could damage Ver’s influence in the BCH ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Song continues advocating for sound money principles, warning against altcoin speculation and centralized control.
Final Thoughts: A Legacy Beyond the Bet
As we celebrate Bitcoin’s 10th anniversary, stories like this remind us that innovation isn’t just about code—it’s about people, principles, and the conflicts that forge them.
The BTC vs BCH debate may never be settled by a single wager. But the conversation it sparks—about value, decentralization, and integrity—is invaluable.
Whether or not the $1 million bet ever happens, one thing is clear: in the world of cryptocurrency, words are cheap—but putting your money where your mouth is? That’s still rare.
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