Forks Definition - Glossary

Forks are changes in a blockchain's protocol, creating two separate paths a new version and the original.

Forks are modifications to a blockchain's protocol that result in diverging chains. They can be soft or hard. A soft fork is backward-compatible, allowing updated and non-updated nodes to coexist. In contrast, a hard fork is not backward-compatible and requires all nodes to upgrade. Forks can occur to enhance features, fix bugs, or address security issues. They can also represent a difference in community consensus, leading to new cryptocurrencies. Understanding forks is essential for navigating blockchain technology and its evolving ecosystem.