TLDR
- The Hydrogen upgrade is COTI’s first official hard fork and needs no user action.
- MPC system upgrades improve memory handling and reduce sensitive data exposure.
- gcEVM updates enforce stricter validation and standardize opcode execution.
- Node operators have already upgraded, ensuring a smooth transition for the network.
The COTI network is preparing for its first official hard fork, known as the Hydrogen upgrade. This update will bring automatic improvements to the protocol’s structure without needing action from users. Hydrogen aims to make the network more secure, stable and scalable as COTI continues to build toward wider adoption and long-term development across enterprise and blockchain environments.
Structural Upgrade with a Focus on Network Security
The Hydrogen hard fork introduces backend changes that improve cryptographic safety and software performance across the network. COTI has enhanced its Multi-Party Computation (MPC) system by optimizing memory handling, file management and cryptographic randomness. These changes reduce the risk of exposing sensitive data by clearing it from memory after use.
Additionally, better connection handling and more efficient data flow have been implemented. This allows the system to perform more consistently during periods of high network activity. These updates follow an independent audit conducted earlier this year, which examined the core systems of the protocol.
The audit findings were used to guide the changes in the Hydrogen release. According to COTI, the update aims to improve the security architecture without changing the experience for users or token holders. Wallets and node operations will remain unaffected, and no manual actions are required from users during the upgrade.
gcEVM Enhancements for Predictable Execution
Hydrogen also includes updates to the global confidential Ethereum Virtual Machine (gcEVM). This part of the upgrade enforces stricter validation rules for protocol operations. It also enhances error handling during opcode execution, which helps maintain consistent block processing.
These updates ensure that execution remains uniform across all nodes. This standardization supports a more reliable environment for developers and enterprise applications. By aligning node operations, COTI reduces the chances of inconsistent results and network errors.
COTI’s development team confirmed that node operators have already transitioned to the new software. This guarantees that the hard fork will occur without disrupting normal operations or user access. All features and functionalities are expected to continue as before, ensuring smooth usage throughout the upgrade.
Long-Term Network Growth and Stability
COTI has described Hydrogen as a foundational update aimed at preparing the network for wider enterprise use and future growth. The protocol’s privacy-preserving features remain intact, but the backend changes reinforce its ability to scale with demand.
The upgrade was built to support a future where interoperability, privacy, and scalability are all necessary. With Hydrogen, COTI focuses on strengthening the protocol without major changes to the way users or developers interact with it. This allows the platform to evolve steadily while maintaining trust and usability.
In a statement from the team, COTI emphasized that “Hydrogen sets the stage for long-term adoption and reliable enterprise integration.” This approach reflects the network’s goal of gradual improvement rather than rapid or unstable shifts in protocol design.
User Experience and Transition Process
There is no action required from COTI token holders or users. All assets remain secure, and services will continue without interruption. Node operators have already received the update and are running the latest version.
The automatic nature of the Hydrogen upgrade ensures a seamless transition. This design reduces the chance of mistakes and supports a uniform switch across the network. The upgrade is designed to be backward-compatible with the network’s current features.
Hydrogen is expected to serve as a key step in reinforcing the COTI network’s role in enterprise and blockchain systems. Its improvements build a stronger foundation for reliability, performance, and future innovation.
