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I just saw someone ask about what a fork is in cryptocurrency, so I wrote this article to explain it more simply.
In short, a fork is when a blockchain changes its rules. Imagine a blockchain as a shared ledger that everyone has a copy of; a fork is when everyone decides to write differently, leading to a branch.
There are two main types of forks that anyone involved in crypto should know. The first is a hard fork — this is a major change that is not compatible with the old version. When a hard fork happens, the blockchain splits into two separate paths. Nodes that do not update will continue following the old chain, while those that accept the change will switch to the new chain. As a result, a new cryptocurrency with its own blockchain can be created.
The second is a soft fork — this is a lighter upgrade that remains compatible with the old rules. Soft forks introduce changes that nodes not updated can still verify transactions normally. In this case, the blockchain remains a single chain, just with updated nodes applying the new rules.
So, what is a fork in summary — it’s a way for a blockchain to evolve, adapt to new needs, or fix old issues. Understanding this will help you better grasp how cryptocurrency projects develop.