COTI Successfully Completes Its First Hard Fork, Hydrogen
COTI has achieved a significant milestone by executing its inaugural hard fork, named Hydrogen, which introduces substantial upgrades to its network without causing any disruption for users.
Key Takeaways
The Hydrogen hard fork was launched on October 19, 2025, and aims to enhance the overall speed, security, and resilience of the network. Users and token holders did not need to take any action, as the update was automatically implemented and fully backward-compatible. Improvements were made to the Multi-Party Computation (MPC) system and the global confidential Ethereum Virtual Machine (gcEVM), facilitating consistent execution and better memory safety. This upgrade positions COTI for future enterprise adoption while focusing on scalability and privacy-centric applications.
What Happened?
The COTI Network has successfully executed the Hydrogen hard fork, which marks a key upgrade that enhances security, stability, and performance across the protocol. This upgrade serves as a foundational advancement, having transpired seamlessly without the need for user or node operator intervention, demonstrating a mature and efficient evolution of COTI’s technical framework.
A Seamless Transition for a Stronger Future
The Hydrogen hard fork was officially rolled out on October 19, 2025, at 12:00 PM UTC, representing the protocol’s first-ever hard fork. In contrast to many blockchain updates that often lead to disruptions or require user engagement, Hydrogen was designed to operate entirely in the background, ensuring that services remained uninterrupted across wallets, nodes, and user assets. The COTI team confirmed that all node operators had already transitioned to the latest version, ensuring a smooth upgrade process. As a result, end users experienced no changes in performance or access, aligning with COTI’s commitment to user-friendly and scalable solutions.
Core Improvements in Security and Execution
The Hydrogen upgrade brings several backend enhancements, particularly concerning Multi-Party Computation (MPC) and the global confidential Ethereum Virtual Machine (gcEVM). The MPC system received updates to its memory management, file handling, and cryptographic randomness capabilities, thereby improving data protection and memory hygiene. The memory is now thoroughly cleared post-operation, minimizing risks associated with data exposure. Enhancements in connection handling have also been made to ensure better network performance during periods of high traffic or concurrent usage. The gcEVM now mandates stricter protocol validation and standardized opcode execution, which aids nodes in maintaining consistent performance throughout the network. These technical enhancements were informed by an independent audit carried out earlier this year, underscoring COTI’s dedication to security and transparency.
Ready for Enterprise and Ecosystem Growth
The Hydrogen upgrade is more than just a technical improvement; it serves as a strategic infrastructure overhaul aimed at positioning COTI for broader adoption in enterprise settings. The upgrade fortifies the network’s foundation for interoperability, privacy protection, and high-performance applications, all while preserving the user experience. By ensuring backward compatibility and maintaining the functionality of existing services, COTI enables developers and users to continue their work on the platform without interruptions. This approach enhances the network’s appeal for enterprise integration and scalable solutions. In a public statement, the COTI team remarked, “Hydrogen sets the stage for long-term adoption and reliable enterprise integration,” highlighting the forward-thinking nature of this infrastructure enhancement.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
In my view, the most effective network upgrades are those that users hardly notice, and that’s precisely what COTI achieved with Hydrogen. There were no token migrations, no urgent wallet updates, and no malfunctioning nodes. Instead, progress was made quietly and with intention. The focus on backend improvements, particularly regarding MPC and execution consistency, indicates that COTI is strategically planning for the future.
