BIP Proposal: Define Bitcoin Subunits as Satoshis/Sats

BIP Proposal: Define Bitcoin Subunits as Satoshis/Sats
2025-04-29 22:10 ` Lucas André
  
From: 'OceanSlim' via Bitcoin Development Mailing List @ 2025-04-29 12:18 UTC (permalink / raw)
  To: Bitcoin Development Mailing List


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To the Bitcoin developer community,

I'm writing to propose a new Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) aimed at 
formally standardizing terminology for Bitcoin's smallest unit. This is an 
informational BIP that seeks to officially recognize "satoshi" (singular) 
or "satoshis" (plural) as the standard term for 1/100,000,000 of a bitcoin, 
with "sats" as the standard abbreviation.

While this terminology is already widely used throughout the Bitcoin 
ecosystem, no formal standard exists, leading to inconsistent usage across 
applications, documentation, and communications. This BIP seeks to 
formalize what has organically become common practice.

The BIP can already be viewed here:
https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/pull/1841 
<https://deref-gmx.com/mail/client/rgLlibWjbIA/dereferrer/?redirectUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fbitcoin%2Fbips%2Fpull%2F1841>

I'd like to note that this proposal differs from BIP-176 (Bits 
Denomination) and the recent BIP-177 proposal (Redefine Bitcoin's Base 
Unit). While those proposals suggest changing or adding denomination 
schemes, this BIP simply formalizes existing widely-used terminology 
without changing the underlying unit structure.

I look forward to your feedback and suggestions.

Thank you,

OceanSlim
npub1zmc6qyqdfnllhnzzxr5wpepfpnzcf8q6m3jdveflmgruqvd3qa9sjv7f60

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 permalink raw reply	[|nested]
2025-04-29 12:18 [bitcoindev] BIP Proposal: Define Bitcoin Subunits as Satoshis/Sats 'OceanSlim' via Bitcoin Development Mailing List

  2025-05-02 20:54   ` Jakub Szwedo
  
From: Lucas André @ 2025-04-29 22:10 UTC (permalink / raw)
  To: OceanSlim;  Bitcoin Development Mailing List

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Maranatha!

I propose a small addition that could improve this, particularly for users
relying on assistive technologies (like our boi Hal Finney once did).

Specifically, I suggest adding a short section on *accessibility and
voice/UI guidance*. Your proposal does a solid job, but it doesn't yet
cover how these should be handled in screen readers, voice assistants, or
accessible interfaces. Below is a proposed section that could be added
under "specification" or introduced as a new non-normative section.

To ensure clarity and inclusiveness in UIs and assistive technologies, the
> following recommendations apply:
>
> Pronunciation:
> The abbreviation "sat" should be pronounced as /sæt/, and "sats" (plural)
> should be pronounced as /sæts/ (rhyming with "cats") by screen readers and
> voice assistants. "Satoshi" (singular) is pronounced /səˈtoʊʃi/. "Satoshis"
> (plural) is pronounced /səˈtoʊʃiz/.



Singular vs. Plural:
> "1 sat" should be read as "one satoshi" and "100 sats" as "one hundred
> satoshis" to preserve correct pluralization and meaning. When reading
> aloud:



"1 sat" → "one satoshi" → /wʌn səˈtoʊʃi/
> "100 sats" → "one hundred satoshis" → /wʌn ˈhʌndrəd səˈtoʊʃiz/
>
> Readable Formats:
> Prefer full terms in accessibility modes (e.g., "satoshis" instead of
> "sats"), and group digits to assist parsing (e.g., "12,345" instead of
> "12345").
>
> Contextual Labels:
> Interfaces should use clear alt-text or aria-labels such as: *alt="Transaction
> fee: 14 satoshis per virtual byte". * This enables screen readers and
> other assistive technologies to accurately interpret and communicate the
> content.


If this makes sense, I'd be happy to help refine it or adjust to fit the
structure if necessary.

References:
https://www.internationalphoneticalphabet.org
https://tophonetics.com

Peace,
Lucas.

On Tue, Apr 29, 2025 at 11:16 AM 'OceanSlim' via Bitcoin Development
Mailing List <bitcoindev@googlegroups.com> wrote:

> To the Bitcoin developer community,
>
> I'm writing to propose a new Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) aimed at
> formally standardizing terminology for Bitcoin's smallest unit. This is an
> informational BIP that seeks to officially recognize "satoshi" (singular)
> or "satoshis" (plural) as the standard term for 1/100,000,000 of a bitcoin,
> with "sats" as the standard abbreviation.
>
> While this terminology is already widely used throughout the Bitcoin
> ecosystem, no formal standard exists, leading to inconsistent usage across
> applications, documentation, and communications. This BIP seeks to
> formalize what has organically become common practice.
>
> The BIP can already be viewed here:
> https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/pull/1841
> <https://deref-gmx.com/mail/client/rgLlibWjbIA/dereferrer/?redirectUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fbitcoin%2Fbips%2Fpull%2F1841>
>
> I'd like to note that this proposal differs from BIP-176 (Bits
> Denomination) and the recent BIP-177 proposal (Redefine Bitcoin's Base
> Unit). While those proposals suggest changing or adding denomination
> schemes, this BIP simply formalizes existing widely-used terminology
> without changing the underlying unit structure.
>
> I look forward to your feedback and suggestions.
>
> Thank you,
>
> OceanSlim
> npub1zmc6qyqdfnllhnzzxr5wpepfpnzcf8q6m3jdveflmgruqvd3qa9sjv7f60
>
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> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Bitcoin Development Mailing List" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an
> email to bitcoindev+unsubscribe@googlegroups•com.
> To view this discussion visit
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bitcoindev/17076438-87eb-4531-81a1-e1850dffe277n%40googlegroups.com
> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bitcoindev/17076438-87eb-4531-81a1-e1850dffe277n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>
> .
>

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2025-04-29 22:10 ` Lucas André

  
From: Jakub Szwedo @ 2025-05-02 20:54 UTC ( / )
  To: Bitcoin Development Mailing List




Hi,

If the author of the BIP would like to add some accessibility and voice/UI 
guidance mentioned by Lucas, a great open source resource created by 
Bitcoin Design community exists on the topic:

https://bitcoin.design/guide/designing-products/units-and-symbols/

I hope it helps.

Best,
Jakub

On Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 11:24:17 UTC+2 Lucas André wrote:

> Maranatha!
>
> I propose a small addition that could improve this, particularly for users 
> relying on assistive technologies (like our boi Hal Finney once did).
>
> Specifically, I suggest adding a short section on *accessibility and 
> voice/UI guidance*. Your proposal does a solid job, but it doesn't yet 
> cover how these should be handled in screen readers, voice assistants, or 
> accessible interfaces. Below is a proposed section that could be added 
> under "specification" or introduced as a new non-normative section.
>
> To ensure clarity and inclusiveness in UIs and assistive technologies, the 
>> following recommendations apply:
>>  
>> Pronunciation:
>> The abbreviation "sat" should be pronounced as /sæt/, and "sats" (plural) 
>> should be pronounced as /sæts/ (rhyming with "cats") by screen readers and 
>> voice assistants. "Satoshi" (singular) is pronounced /səˈtoʊʃi/. "Satoshis" 
>> (plural) is pronounced /səˈtoʊʃiz/. 
>
>  
>
> Singular vs. Plural:
>> "1 sat" should be read as "one satoshi" and "100 sats" as "one hundred 
>> satoshis" to preserve correct pluralization and meaning. When reading 
>> aloud: 
>
>  
>
> "1 sat" → "one satoshi" → /wʌn səˈtoʊʃi/
>> "100 sats" → "one hundred satoshis" → /wʌn ˈhʌndrəd səˈtoʊʃiz/
>>  
>> Readable Formats:
>> Prefer full terms in accessibility modes (e.g., "satoshis" instead of 
>> "sats"), and group digits to assist parsing (e.g., "12,345" instead of 
>> "12345").
>>  
>> Contextual Labels:
>> Interfaces should use clear alt-text or aria-labels such as: *alt="Transaction 
>> fee: 14 satoshis per virtual byte". * This enables screen readers and 
>> other assistive technologies to accurately interpret and communicate the 
>> content.
>
>  
> If this makes sense, I'd be happy to help refine it or adjust to fit the 
> structure if necessary.
>
> References: 
> https://www.internationalphoneticalphabet.org
> https://tophonetics.com
>
> Peace,
> Lucas.
>
> On Tue, Apr 29, 2025 at 11:16 AM 'OceanSlim' via Bitcoin Development 
> Mailing List <bitco...@googlegroups•com> wrote:
>
>> To the Bitcoin developer community,
>>
>> I'm writing to propose a new Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) aimed at 
>> formally standardizing terminology for Bitcoin's smallest unit. This is an 
>> informational BIP that seeks to officially recognize "satoshi" (singular) 
>> or "satoshis" (plural) as the standard term for 1/100,000,000 of a bitcoin, 
>> with "sats" as the standard abbreviation.
>>
>> While this terminology is already widely used throughout the Bitcoin 
>> ecosystem, no formal standard exists, leading to inconsistent usage across 
>> applications, documentation, and communications. This BIP seeks to 
>> formalize what has organically become common practice.
>>
>> The BIP can already be viewed here:
>> https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/pull/1841 
>> <https://deref-gmx.com/mail/client/rgLlibWjbIA/dereferrer/?redirectUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fbitcoin%2Fbips%2Fpull%2F1841>
>>
>> I'd like to note that this proposal differs from BIP-176 (Bits 
>> Denomination) and the recent BIP-177 proposal (Redefine Bitcoin's Base 
>> Unit). While those proposals suggest changing or adding denomination 
>> schemes, this BIP simply formalizes existing widely-used terminology 
>> without changing the underlying unit structure.
>>
>> I look forward to your feedback and suggestions.
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> OceanSlim
>> npub1zmc6qyqdfnllhnzzxr5wpepfpnzcf8q6m3jdveflmgruqvd3qa9sjv7f60
>>
>> -- 
>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups 
>> "Bitcoin Development Mailing List" group.
>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an 
>> email to bitcoindev+...@googlegroups•com.
>> To view this discussion visit 
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bitcoindev/17076438-87eb-4531-81a1-e1850dffe277n%40googlegroups.com 
>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bitcoindev/17076438-87eb-4531-81a1-e1850dffe277n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>
>> .
>>
>

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