Subject: Re: [bitcoindev] BIP Proposal: Define Bitcoin Subunits as Satoshis/Sats

From: Lucas André <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2025 19:10:23 -0300

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 <[email-masked]> 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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