Fork governance refers to the process by which communities manage changes or updates to a blockchain’s protocol through forks. A fork occurs when there is a divergence in the blockchain, resulting in two separate paths: one that follows the original chain and another that adopts the new changes.Governance can be contentious, as it involves making decisions that can split a community. This can happen in two ways: soft forks, which are backward-compatible changes, and hard forks, which create a permanent separation and may lead to new cryptocurrencies.Communities often employ various mechanisms for governance, including voting systems, consensus among stakeholders, or discussions in forums. The goal is to ensure that changes reflect the wishes of the majority while maintaining the network’s integrity.Ultimately, fork governance plays a crucial role in shaping the future of a blockchain, influencing its development, security, and user experience. Effective governance can foster collaboration among users, while poorly managed forks can lead to fragmentation and confusion.