A hard fork occurs when a blockchain network undergoes a significant change that is not backward-compatible. This means that nodes on the network that do not upgrade to the new version of the software will be unable to validate blocks or transactions created under the new protocol. Typically, hard forks happen for various reasons, such as implementing new features, fixing security vulnerabilities, or resolving community disagreements about the network’s direction. When a hard fork is executed, it can lead to the creation of a new cryptocurrency if the changes are substantial enough.An example of a notable hard fork is Bitcoin Cash, which resulted from a split from Bitcoin in 2017. This fork aimed to increase transaction capacity and reduce fees. After a hard fork, both the original and the new cryptocurrencies can continue to exist independently, often leading to different communities, functionalities, and ecosystems around them. Overall, hard forks are essential processes in the evolution and governance of blockchain networks, reflecting the dynamic nature of development and community consensus.