Blockchain Upgrade
Also known as: Protocol Upgrade, Chain Upgrade, Blockchain Fork
A change or improvement to the rules or software of a blockchain network, often through forks or governance votes.
A blockchain upgrade modifies the underlying rules, software, or consensus logic of a blockchain. Upgrades may be soft forks (backward compatible) or hard forks (non-compatible) and can include bug fixes, scalability improvements, or feature additions. Protocols like Ethereum and Bitcoin schedule upgrades with community input, while governance-enabled blockchains like Tezos or Polkadot allow on-chain voting. Upgrades are crucial for adapting to new technology, fixing vulnerabilities, and evolving the ecosystem. Poorly coordinated upgrades can lead to forks or disruptions in service.