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Just found this after a little digging, copy/pasting someone's comment on another thread about a year ago:

**\[Response: How Do Hard Forks Work for Cryptocurrency on a Ledger?\]**
Hey [u/AnonymousReddit0r995](https://www.reddit.com/user/AnonymousReddit0r995/)! Great question about how hard forks work with ETH and BTC on your Ledger, especially since you’re a casual user wondering about long-term storage and tax implications. I’ll break it down clearly based on the latest 2025 info. #LedgerSupport
# 1. How Hard Forks Work on Ledger
When a cryptocurrency like ETH or BTC forks (e.g., ETH to ETH Classic in 2016, or BTC to Bitcoin Cash in 2017), it creates a new blockchain with a split from the original. If you hold these on a Ledger during a fork:
* **Automatic Split**: Your Ledger stores the private keys, and the new forked coin is technically yours based on your balance at the snapshot block. However, Ledger doesn’t automatically display or manage these new coins—you need to take action.
* **Ledger’s Role**: Ledger supports major coins (ETH, BTC) natively, but forked assets (e.g., BCH, ETC) require manual updates or third-party wallet integration. The device itself holds the keys; the Ledger Live app needs to be updated to recognize the fork.
# 2. Do You Get the Forked Coins Automatically?
No, they don’t just “appear” in your wallet. Here’s why:
* **Update Required**: Ledger waits for the community or fork developers to release a compatible app or integration. For example, after the BTC/BCH fork, Ledger added BCH support in Ledger Live v1.4.0 (2017). You’d need to install the forked coin’s app (e.g., Bitcoin Cash app) via Ledger Live’s Manager.
* **Claim Process**: Some forks (e.g., Bitcoin SV) require claiming via a third-party wallet (like Electron Cash) using your Ledger’s recovery phrase. This involves exporting your public address and following fork-specific instructions—check the official fork website.
* **Your Case**: Since you’ve never gotten anything, it’s likely no major forks (e.g., ETH 2.0 merge wasn’t a fork) hit your holdings, or you missed the update window. Past forks like ETC or BCH had 6-12 month claim periods.
# 3. Long-Term Storage Implications
* **Safety**: Your coins are safe on Ledger as long as your 24-word recovery phrase is secure. Forks don’t affect the original coins unless you move them.
* **Action Needed**: If a fork happens, monitor crypto news (e.g., CoinDesk, X) and Ledger’s blog (ledger.com/blog). Unclaimed forks can lose value over time—e.g., Bitcoin Gold dropped 90% post-2017.
* **2025 Note**: Ledger’s latest firmware (2.5.0) improves multi-coin support, but manual claiming is still standard for forks.
# 4. Tax Reporting: Have You Overlooked Fork Income?
Yes, you might have, and it’s a common oversight for casual users. In many countries (e.g., US, UK):
* **Taxable Event**: Receiving forked coins is considered income based on their market value at the snapshot time. For example, if BCH was $300 during the 2017 fork, that’s your taxable amount.
* **Reporting**: You’d report this on your taxes (e.g., IRS Form 8949 in the US) even if unclaimed. Since you didn’t know, check past fork dates (e.g., BCH: Aug 1, 2017; ETC: Jul 20, 2016) and their values then. Consult a tax pro—tools like Koinly can help reconstruct.
* **Ledger’s Stance**: They don’t notify you of tax obligations; it’s on you to track.
# 5. What to Do Now
* **Check Fork History**: Look up ETH/BTC forks since you bought (e.g., BCH, BSV, ETC) on blockchain explorers (blockchair.com) using your public address.
* **Update Ledger Live**: Ensure you’re on the latest version (v2.58.0, 2025) and install any missing fork apps.
* **Secure Your Phrase**: Test your 24-word recovery on a new device to confirm access—don’t risk losing unclaimed forks.
* **Tax Prep**: Review 2016-2025 for forks and amend past returns if needed.
You’re not alone in this confusion—forks can be tricky! Did you buy during a known fork period? Let’s figure it out together! #LedgerForks
*Edit: Generic links as placeholders; data reflects 2025 trends. Not financial or tax advice, just guidance!* !

> So in future bitcoin core will add tail emission to bitcoin
This is what you're missing. If someone adds tail emission to Bitcoin, that would hard fork off the Bitcoin Blockchain into it's own altcoin. Which again would be worthless, because they're no consensus around this idea at all.
Anyone is free to propose any idea they want. Anyone is free to fork Bitcoin however they want. We know how it ends. We saw it with BCH, BSV, Bip110, and the countless others.
Bitcoin doesn't care. Bitcoin remains Bitcoin.