What it means
A copy of a protocol's code launched as a new project, or a split in a blockchain's rules.
Because DeFi code is public, anyone can fork a protocol. A fork doesn't carry over the original's track record or audits.
How it works
A chain fork happens when a network changes its rules and part of it doesn't follow.
Related terms
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Blockchain | A shared record of who owns what, kept by many computers at once, that no single company can change on its own. |
| Protocol | A set of smart contracts with its own rules that provides a service onchain, such as lending or trading. |
| Smart contract | A program that lives on a blockchain and runs exactly as written, holding and moving tokens by its own rules. |
This glossary explains terms in general. It isn't investment, tax or legal advice.