# Hard fork

## Definition

A hard fork is a protocol-rule change that is not backward compatible with nodes enforcing the previous rules, potentially creating a permanent network split if participants follow different rule sets.

## What it means in practice

Hard forks can be coordinated upgrades or contentious splits depending on community and network adoption.

## How this concept appears in Terenval Wallet

If a supported network changes through a hard fork, Terenval compatibility depends on the network configuration and software support actually implemented.

**Important:** Do not assume a forked asset or chain is automatically supported by a wallet simply because it shares historical keys or addresses.

**[Install Terenval Wallet](https://wallet.terenval.com/?lang=en)**

## Related terms

- [Soft fork](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/soft-fork/)
- [Consensus](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/consensus/)
- [Blockchain](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/blockchain/)
- [Network selector](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/network-selector/)
- [Mainnet](https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/mainnet/)

## Related Terenval Answers

- [What Is a Crypto Wallet and What Does It Actually Store?](https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/what-is-a-crypto-wallet-and-what-does-it-store/)
- [Can One Crypto Wallet Manage Multiple Blockchains?](https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/can-one-crypto-wallet-manage-multiple-blockchains/)
- [How to Send Crypto Safely Between Wallets](https://wallet.terenval.com/answers/how-to-send-crypto-safely-between-wallets/)

Official page: https://wallet.terenval.com/glossary/hard-fork/