Nimiq is preparing a network upgrade: the v2.0.0 hard fork. It delivers security-relevant improvements to the protocol and activates via validator signaling. This blog post explains how the activation will take place and what applies to validators and node operators. For the complete technical steps, read the full documentation.
Phase 1 opens on August 10.
Why this upgrade
v2.0.0 delivers security-relevant improvements to the Nimiq protocol. Because they change consensus rules, they ship as a hard fork rather than a routine release. This upgrade also includes an easier way to handle future upgrades: validators will be able to signal readiness using their warm key instead of the cold key.
How activation works
v2.0.0 activates through stake signaling. Validators who choose to support the upgrade apply the security patch shared through the Telegram CERT channel and signal readiness in the staking contract. Once validators representing 80% of the stake have committed, the fork activates at the next election block. Until that threshold is reached, the chain keeps producing blocks under the current rules.
Because activation depends on validator signaling, there is no fixed activation block. The activation will not occur before August 10. After that, it can activate at any point once the 80% threshold is met and the next election block is produced by a validator who has signaled their intention to upgrade.
You can follow readiness in real time on the upgrade dashboard.
What this means for you
The rollout happens in two phases, with different audiences and timing. Read the part that applies to you, and follow the linked documentation for the exact steps.
Validators (Phase 1)
Phase 1 is for validators and opens on August 10. Validators who choose to support the upgrade can apply the security patch or run the Docker image (both shared in the Telegram CERT channel), restart their client, and send a signaling transaction signed with the validator's cold key.
If you are running a validator, you should receive the patch directly from the team in the community channels dedicated to validator operators. If you run a validator and don't receive a specific message, reach out to a team member to make sure we can include you.
Validators act only in Phase 1. The full steps are in the documentation.
Node operators and exchanges (Phase 2)
Phase 2 is for node operators, including exchanges running nodes. It starts only after the fork has activated. At that point, the v2.0.0 release will be announced, and node operators who want to follow the upgraded chain will need to update.
Because activation timing is not fixed, the action here is to be ready. Follow the dashboard so you can update promptly once the release is live. We will notify node operators when it is.
Follow the step-by-step guide for node operators in the documentation.
Key dates
- August 10: Phase 1 opens. Validators can apply the patch and begin signaling. Activation will not happen before this date.
- Activation: not fixed. It happens at the first election block after 80% of stake has committed, and it is tracked live on the dashboard.
- Phase 2: begins immediately after activation, when the public release is published.
Resources
What's next
We will announce as soon as the hard fork activates, and publish the v2.0.0 release for node operators to update. Until then, follow validator readiness on the dashboard.
As always, we will be available in our community channels for any questions along the way. Thank you to the entire Nimiq community for your continuous support.
Pura Vida
Team Nimiq