And how has the Ethereum network dealt with this division before?
In the world of blockchain and digital currencies, we often hear terms like 'Hard Fork' and 'Soft Fork'.
But what does it really mean? And why are these 'divisions' considered turning points in the history of networks like Ethereum or Bitcoin?
💡 First: What is a Fork in blockchain?
The Fork is simply an update or change in the network's protocol rules.
It occurs when developers or the community decide to introduce changes to the blockchain to improve performance, fix bugs, or add new features.
But the way this change is implemented determines the type of split 👇
⚙️ What is the Soft Fork?
The Soft Fork is a backward-compatible update.
In other words, the old nodes are still able to work with the new blocks even if their software is not updated.
It’s like a ‘quiet upgrade’ that doesn’t cut off connection with the old network.
📌 Example:
When SegWit was implemented in the Bitcoin network in 2017, it was a Soft Fork because it added a new way to store signatures without breaking network compatibility.
🔥 What is the Hard Fork?
As for the Hard Fork, it is a radical change that is not backward-compatible.
Meaning that the nodes that did not update their software will not be able to interact with the new network.
Thus, two separate networks arise:
One operates under the old rules, and the other operates under the new rules.
📌 Example:
The famous split that occurred in Ethereum in 2016 after the hacking of The DAO project, where the network split into:
Ethereum (ETH) – the new network that returned the stolen funds.
Ethereum Classic (ETC) – the old network that kept the rules as they are.
And here the Hard Fork is manifested in its clearest form: a difference in philosophy and principle before being in the code.
🧠 Why do splits happen at all?
Forks are a natural part of blockchain evolution, often coming for reasons such as:
Fixing security vulnerabilities or bugs in the code.
Improving the speed or efficiency of the network.
Implementing decisions resulting from community voting.
Or simply: a difference in vision between development teams.
The story of the DAO proved that blockchain is not just code, but a community.
The decision to split was not only technical but also ethical — between those who wanted to 'correct the mistake' and those who wanted to 'adhere to the principle of complete decentralization.'
And today, we see Ethereum continuing to develop through thoughtful updates like Merge and Dencun without new splits, thanks to a more mature governance mechanism.
Whether it’s a Hard Fork or Soft Fork, both represent the spirit of innovation and experimentation in the crypto world.
But what determines the success of any Fork is not just the code, but the strength of the community and its trust in the project.
