What is a Hard Fork?
A radical change to a network's protocol that makes previously invalid blocks and transactions valid, or vice-versa.
Key details
- Backward Incompatible
- Creates a permanent divergence from the previous version.
- New Chain
- Often results in two separate blockchains and cryptocurrencies.
- Community Split
- Can lead to ideological and economic divisions in the community.
- Planned or Contentious
- Can be pre-planned upgrades or result from disagreements.
Examples
- 01The creation of Bitcoin Cash from Bitcoin in August 2017.
- 02Ethereum's transition to Ethereum 2.0 (now called 'The Merge').
- 03Monero's regular hard forks to implement privacy and security upgrades.