A fork layer refers to a specific outcome of changes made to a blockchain protocol. When developers or the community want to implement changes or upgrades, they can create a fork. This means that the existing blockchain splits into two separate paths: one continues along the original code, while the other adopts the new rules. There are two main types of forks: soft forks and hard forks. A soft fork is a backward-compatible change, where new rules can coexist with the old ones without splitting the blockchain. In contrast, a hard fork is a more radical change, resulting in two distinct cryptocurrencies if the community disagrees on the new rules.Fork layers often arise from debates over governance, scalability, or new features. They can lead to new opportunities, such as the creation of a new token or improvements in transaction speed and security. However, they can also cause confusion and division within the community, especially if users are uncertain about which version to support.