John Carvalho Wants to Get Rid of ‘Sats’
Synonym CEO John Carvalho proposes renaming Bitcoin’s smallest unit, satoshis (sats), to "one bitcoin" to simplify user experience. Learn about his controversial BIP.
John Carvalho Wants to Get Rid of ‘Sats’
John Carvalho, the CEO of Bitcoin software company Synonym, has stirred controversy in the Bitcoin community with a bold new proposal: to eliminate "satoshis" (sats) and redefine Bitcoin's smallest unit as “one bitcoin.” Carvalho detailed his idea in a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) submitted last week, aiming to reduce confusion and streamline user experience.
Why Redefine Bitcoin Units?
Currently, each bitcoin (BTC) is divisible into 100 million satoshis (sats), the smallest units of the cryptocurrency. While the system works mathematically, Carvalho argues that using sats creates unnecessary cognitive overhead for new users, especially as Bitcoin adoption grows.
In his proposal, Carvalho writes:
“By redefining the smallest unit as ‘one bitcoin,’ this BIP aligns user perception with the protocol’s true nature. It reduces cognitive overhead, ensures users understand Bitcoin as counting discrete units, and ultimately improves educational clarity and user experience.”
How Would It Work?
The proposal suggests an “integer-only” configuration, where the smallest unit is simply referred to as "one bitcoin". Synonym’s Bitkit wallet already uses this system as a pilot, according to Carvalho.
If adopted:
- Interim measures would display both “old” and “new” units during the transition period.
- The “sats” terminology would gradually be phased out in favor of the simplified unit.
- The shift would take over a year to implement fully across Bitcoin wallets, exchanges, and infrastructure.
Why Now?
The proposal gains relevance as Bitcoin’s price continues to rise, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to afford a whole bitcoin. If predictions of Bitcoin reaching $1 million or more materialize, toggling between bitcoin and sats could become even more inconvenient.
Carvalho believes a unified approach would make Bitcoin more intuitive for everyday users.
Community Backlash and Debate
The Bitcoin community is famously resistant to change, and Carvalho’s BIP has sparked significant backlash. Critics argue that sats are already well-understood and changing Bitcoin’s unit structure could cause more confusion than it solves.
Prominent Bitcoin podcaster Stephan Livera ridiculed the proposal, jokingly posting on X:
“Hey, I’ve got this great idea! Instead of one pizza with eight slices, let’s just call each slice a pizza. Just make sure when you go to order your pizza, you now order eight pizzas instead of one. Just my two pizzas.”
This sentiment reflects a broader skepticism about tampering with Bitcoin’s existing terminology, which has grown organically alongside its adoption.
The Bigger Picture
While the debate around Carvalho’s proposal continues, it highlights the challenges of balancing usability and tradition within the Bitcoin ecosystem. The suggestion underscores how rising Bitcoin prices are influencing the way people interact with the cryptocurrency.
Although many dismiss the idea today, if Bitcoin continues its upward trajectory, proposals like Carvalho’s may gain more consideration in the future.
Final Thoughts
John Carvalho’s proposal to redefine Bitcoin’s smallest unit reflects an effort to simplify the user experience in an increasingly complex crypto landscape. While controversial, the BIP raises valuable questions about how Bitcoin terminology might evolve as adoption grows. Whether the community accepts or rejects Carvalho’s idea, the conversation itself underscores Bitcoin’s continued maturation as both a cultural and financial asset.
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