A hard fork on Cardano refers to a significant upgrade to the blockchain protocol that introduces new features or changes how the network operates, requiring all participants (nodes) to update to the new version. Unlike traditional hard forks that can split a blockchain into two separate chains, Cardano’s hard forks use a unique Hard Fork Combinator technology, which allows seamless transitions between protocol versions without causing network disruption or chain splits.
Think of a hard fork like a mandatory upgrade that all participants must follow to stay in sync with the evolving protocol.
This method lets Cardano evolve and introduce major updates (like the Alonzo, Vasil or Chang hard forks) without interrupting the blockchain’s continuity or creating competing chains. Each hard fork on Cardano brings significant improvements, such as adding smart contract functionality (Alonzo) or optimizing performance and scalability (Vasil).
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