Have you ever heard the term 'hard fork' in the context of cryptocurrencies? While it may sound quite complex, you do not need to be a technical expert to understand what it means.
What is a hard fork?
To understand what a hard fork is, one must first understand what a cryptocurrency 'fork' is. A fork is a process by which the original blockchain network on which a currency operates is updated or undergoes technical changes. There are two types of forks: hard fork and soft fork.
A soft fork implies changes that integrate into the original blockchain, while a hard fork is an event where the original blockchain splits into two independent chains, creating a new crypto token.
How does it work?
Essentially, a hard fork is like a software update on your device, after which you can no longer use the old version of the application. This often happens when the original blockchain requires an update — whether to enhance security or improve decentralization. In such cases, a group of users decides to make radical changes to the protocol of the original blockchain. A hard fork can also be triggered by the need to prevent consequences or avoid new cyberattacks, as was the case with Ethereum.
How does it work? During a hard fork, the cryptocurrency's blockchain splits into two distinct networks, requiring separate software to operate. This means that the new blockchain will operate under different conditions than the original. It also means that the token created as a result of the hard fork is not the same as the original, and they are NOT interchangeable. The price of the new currency depends on demand, adoption, and supply, and its history intersects with the original only up to the point of the hard fork — after the split, its own history begins.
What does hard fork mean for users?
Here’s what is important for the user to remember when a hard fork occurs:
Ownership of assets: users typically receive the same amount of coins or tokens on the new blockchain network as they had on the original. For example, if you had 10 bitcoins before the Bitcoin Cash hard fork, you would receive 10 BTC and 10 BCH after the split (if the hard fork occurred at that point in time).
Compatibility and wallet updates: users may need to update their wallets or use others to support the new blockchain network. If they do not, they may lose access to coins on the new network.
Market volatility: hard forks often cause fluctuations in the market as traders and investors speculate on which version of the blockchain will gain recognition or retain its value. This can lead to temporary price spikes and uncertainty.
Potential benefits or risks: a hard fork may offer improvements such as faster transactions or lower fees, but it may also introduce new security risks or governance issues depending on the specific changes made as a result of the fork.
Essentially, a hard fork is a significant event that can bring you additional assets, but it also requires attention to avoid losing access to your funds due to changes in the system.
Examples of hard forks of popular cryptocurrencies
To help you better understand this process, let's look at several examples of well-known cryptocurrency hard forks that had a significant impact on the blockchain ecosystem.
Bitcoin hard forks
Speaking of Bitcoin, it's worth noting that the original blockchain has undergone over 100 different forks. Let's consider those that have truly impacted the cryptocurrency world.
Bitcoin (BTC) → Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
Date: August 1, 2017
Reason: Bitcoin Cash was created to address Bitcoin's scalability issue. The hard fork increased the block size limit from 1 MB to 8 MB, allowing more transactions to be processed in each block, aiming to reduce congestion and lower fees.
Outcome: Bitcoin Cash gained its own audience and ecosystem and continues to exist, but BTC remains a more widely recognized and valued cryptocurrency.
Bitcoin (BTC) → Bitcoin SV (BSV)
Date: November 15, 2018
Reason: Bitcoin SV (Satoshi Vision) arose from a hard fork of Bitcoin Cash due to disagreements in the community regarding the project's future direction. One side, led by Craig Wright, aimed to increase the block size and focus on the original vision of Bitcoin's creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, while the other side preferred a more moderate approach.
Outcome: Bitcoin SV aimed for further increases in the block size limit (initially to 128 MB) and focused on creating a scalable blockchain for business applications. Bitcoin SV exists on the periphery of the cryptocurrency world.
Bitcoin (BTC) → Bitcoin Gold (BTG)
Date: October 24, 2017
Reason: Bitcoin Gold was created to decentralize mining, using the Equihash algorithm, which is accessible to a wider range of users utilizing graphics processing units (GPUs) rather than specialized ASIC miners.
Outcome: Bitcoin Gold has not achieved the same popularity and value as Bitcoin, but continues to exist and is one of the most well-known derivatives of Bitcoin.
Hard forks Ethereum
Ethereum is the first cryptocurrency associated with hard forks, especially those occurring after hacker attacks. Here’s why:
Ethereum (ETH) → Ethereum Classic (ETC)
Date: July 20, 2016
Reason: Ethereum Classic was the result of a hard fork after the DAO hack, which resulted in a significant loss of ethers (ETH). The Ethereum community decided to reverse the effects of the hack, reverting the blockchain to a state before the attack. However, some community members disagreed with this and continued to use the original chain, leading to the creation of Ethereum Classic.
Outcome: Ethereum (ETH) followed the new chain with rollback, while Ethereum Classic (ETC) retained the original blockchain, which still exists, but is less popular.
Ethereum (ETH) → Ethereum 2.0 (Eth2)
Date: Transition in process (phased upgrade)
Reason: The transition of Ethereum from a Proof of Work (PoW) consensus mechanism to a Proof of Stake (PoS) is a significant upgrade that is often referred to as Ethereum 2.0 or simply Eth2. Although this transition is being carried out through a series of upgrades (e.g., Beacon Chain and Serenity), it is considered a hard fork as it changes the core consensus concept.
Outcome: The upgrade aims to enhance the scalability, security, and sustainability of Ethereum, reducing energy consumption and enabling more efficient transaction processing. Ethereum 2.0 continues to be implemented, but significant steps have already been taken.
Hard fork Zcash
Zcash (ZEC) → Ycash (YEC)
Date: July 18, 2019
Reason: Ycash was a hard fork of Zcash, primarily motivated by disagreements over the future of the Zcash development fund. Ycash was created to eliminate the 'Founders' Reward' — a mechanism that allocated a portion of Zcash mining rewards to developers and stakeholders. Ycash aims to shift more power to the community rather than a centralized fund.
Outcome: Ycash has not gained the same popularity as Zcash, but continues to operate, focusing on community development.
Hard fork Dash
Dash (formerly Darkcoin) → Dash (DAO)
Here’s the translation of the text into English, considering all crypto terms:
Date: March 2015
Reason: Dash was originally created as Darkcoin, but after rebranding and decisions made by the community, it underwent a hard fork and became Dash, aimed at improving governance, transparency, and privacy features. Dash was designed to provide fast and cheap transactions, as well as a two-tier network for enhanced scalability and decision-making.
Outcome: Dash has become one of the leading coins focused on privacy and maintains its position in the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
Thus, a hard fork is an event that can occur with any cryptocurrency on any blockchain network if the community decides that significant updates are necessary or a hacking attack has occurred. A hard fork does not mean that the original blockchain will disappear or stop functioning, nor does it mean that the newly created token will be 100% better than the original. The main thing for you as a user is to not panic and consider the changes that may occur after the split, so you will be prepared for upcoming modifications.
Did you like the article? What do you think about hard forks? Have you ever witnessed such an event? Share your experience in the comments!
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