Kaspa is preparing for a significant network upgrade called Crescendo Hardfork, scheduled for May 5, 2025. Node Version v1.0.0, released on March 31, 2025, will set the stage for this transition.
What is the Crescendo Hardfork?
The Crescendo Hardfork is a mandatory update to the Kaspa blockchain, designed to enhance its performance and scalability. Announced via an official X post on April 1, 2025, the hardfork will take effect when the network’s Difficulty Adjustment Algorithm (DAA) score hits 110,165,000, projected for May 5, 2025, at approximately 15:00 UTC. At that point, Kaspa will transition from producing 1 block per second to 10, reducing the time between blocks from 1,000 milliseconds to 100 milliseconds. This upgrade is driven by Node Version v1.0.0, released on March 31, 2025. Built using the Rust programming language, this software update introduces the technical framework for the hardfork, including faster block production, a new data retention option, and a shift to P2P protocol version 7. Starting 24 hours before activation, on May 4, 2025, nodes will only connect to peers using this new protocol, making the update essential for staying on the main network.
Technical Details Behind the Crescendo Hardfork
The Crescendo Hardfork, detailed in KIP-14 (Kaspa Improvement Proposal), includes several technical enhancements tested in Testnet 10 on March 6, 2025. Here's what's changing: * 10 BPS Activation: The network will jump from 1 BPS to 10 BPS, cutting block intervals and boosting throughput. * Retention Period Configuration: A new 'retention-period-days' setting lets node operators decide how long to keep historical data. With faster blocks, the default pruning period drops from about 50 hours to 30 hours, requiring more storage unless adjusted. * Protocol Version 7: Nodes will switch to this new peer-to-peer protocol 24 hours before activation, ensuring connectivity only with updated nodes. * Additional Adjustments: Per KIP-14, the Ghostdag K parameter rises to 124, and max block parents increase from 10 to 16, refining block processing.
What v1.0.0 Means for Node Operators and Users
For node operators, upgrading to v1.0.0 is essential. Those who don’t will fork off into an obsolete chain after May 5, 2025. The new retention setting offers flexibility, but operators must plan for increased storage needs due to the faster block rate. The protocol shift on May 4 adds urgency, with a guide available on GitHub to assist. Users can expect faster transaction confirmations, enhancing Kaspa’s usability. Miners, already powering over 1,090 PH/s of hashrate as of April 1, 2025, might face more competition as the network grows. Currently valued at a $1.7 billion market cap, the KAS token could see increased activity, though long-term effects depend on adoption. An unexpected twist lies in technical tweaks like finality depth (up from 86,400 to 432,000 blocks) and coinbase maturity (from ~100 to 1,000 blocks at 10 BPS). These could influence network stability and miner rewards over time, shaping how Kaspa evolves.
The Crescendo Hardfork, set for activation on May 5, 2025, represents a pivotal moment for Kaspa, enhancing network speed and capacity while strengthening PoW security. Node operators must update by May 4 to stay connected, while users and miners brace for a faster, more robust blockchain network.
