Deep Dive
1. Major v1.8 Hardfork (2 February 2026)
Overview: This was a scheduled network upgrade that improved the underlying blockchain's speed, security, and ability to connect with other chains. It required validators to update their software, causing a brief pause in network services.
The hardfork activated at block 21,919,000. Key technical upgrades included moving to Cosmos SDK v0.53 for better performance and stability, updating the IBC-go module to v10 for more reliable cross-chain communication, and adding a new 08-wasm module to support Wasm-based light clients for flexible interchain connections. The Bonus and IBC modules were also enhanced to support multiple reward tokens and lay the groundwork for next-generation interoperability features like IBC v2.
What this means: This is bullish for AIOZ because it makes the entire network faster, more secure, and better equipped for the future. Users and developers benefit from a more robust platform that can easily connect with other blockchains, enabling new types of decentralized applications and services.
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2. Scalability Hardfork v1.7.1 (July 2025)
Overview: This update focused on refining the blockchain's core architecture to handle more transactions and data efficiently, building on previous upgrades.
Implemented in July 2025, the hardfork aimed to increase the Layer-1 blockchain's performance, scalability, and security. It continued the project's focus on Layer-1 improvements, following hardforks v1.5.0 and v1.7.0, which set a precedent for maintaining network stability during upgrades.
What this means: This is neutral to bullish for AIOZ as it represents ongoing, foundational work. While it doesn't add flashy new features, it strengthens the network's backbone, which is crucial for supporting future growth, developer adoption, and a smooth user experience as the ecosystem expands.
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3. Core Protocol Upgrade v1.4.0 (28 April 2023)
Overview: This older but significant release expanded the network's functionality by allowing different blockchain environments (Ethereum and Cosmos) to work together more seamlessly.
The update introduced the "wetx" module, enabling users to send EVM transactions using Cosmos-style signing. It also added an "aiozrc20 converter" to the aiozrc20 module, improving the user experience for interacting with wrapped AIOZRC-20 tokens by granting them access to AIOZ-specific features like IBC and gravity bridge functionality.
What this means: This was a bullish foundational update for AIOZ because it broke down barriers between major blockchain ecosystems. It made the network more versatile and user-friendly, allowing developers to build applications that leverage the strengths of both Ethereum and Cosmos.
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Conclusion
AIOZ Network's development trajectory shows a consistent focus on strengthening its core blockchain infrastructure and enhancing interoperability, with the recent v1.8 hardfork representing a significant step in future-proofing the network for scalable AI and media services. How will these technical foundations translate into increased on-chain activity and developer adoption in the coming months?