Fork

In the crypto context, a fork is a change to a blockchain’s protocol that results in a divergence from the existing rules. Forks occur when developers update the software, and not all network participants adopt the same version. A soft fork introduces backward-compatible changes, while a hard fork creates a permanent split into two separate blockchains. Forks can be used to add features, fix vulnerabilities, or resolve community disagreements. They are an important mechanism for blockchain evolution and governance. Forks matter can affect network consensus, asset continuity, and user participation.