Assumption: Bitmain/Wu implemented covert ASICBoost in hardware chips giving 20% electricity advantage.

Assumption: Segwit would 'break' ASICBoost, invalidating the 20% advantage, leveling the playing field for all mining.


Here's my theory:  Assumption 2 is wrong.  In fact, segwit would break all of the ASICboost hardware rendering it useless.  Once segwit is activated, difficulty drops dramatically because all that ASICboost hardware must be thrown out and re-manufactured.


How much mining power would be immediately deactivated?
What would be the effects on Bitmain if this were true?
What would happen to the difficulty?
How long would the network take to recover from this disaster?

Ultimately I believe it would be a good thing, but would it be chaos for a few months?