Deep Dive
1. Version 2.7.0 (26 March 2026)
Overview: This major release introduces a soft fork with new security hardening measures and adds support for remote wallets via new RPC calls. It also makes the mempool more resilient on slower machines.
The update includes a mandatory soft fork with "numerous hardening measures" to strengthen the network's overall security. A new "Remote Wallet" feature is added, allowing users to manage their wallet through RPC, increasing flexibility. The mempool logic is adjusted to be more defensive on resource-constrained systems to prevent transaction processing stalls. The underlying chia_rs library is also updated to version 0.41.1.
What this means: This is bullish for XCH because it significantly improves the network's security and stability, making it more robust against potential attacks. The new remote wallet feature offers users more convenient ways to manage their funds without compromising on security. The mempool tweaks help ensure transactions are processed reliably even on less powerful farming setups.
(Chia Network)
2. Version 2.6.1 (18 March 2026)
Overview: This release focuses on fixing critical bugs and includes preliminary work for the upcoming PoS2 plot format, which will improve farming efficiency.
It addresses several important bugs that could affect node stability and transaction validation. The update also contains "Work in Progress" integration for the new PoS2 plot format, which is a more efficient way to store farming data on hard drives. The update also refines the transaction queue logic for better performance under load.
What this means: This is neutral to bullish for XCH because it prioritizes network reliability and lays the groundwork for future performance upgrades. Fixing critical bugs prevents potential chain disruptions, while early PoS2 support signals ongoing innovation to make farming cheaper and more accessible in the future.
(Chia Network)
3. Version 2.5.7 (12 November 2025)
Overview: This update delivered significant performance improvements for the mempool and introduced early support for the next-generation V2 plot format.
It optimized the mempool's ability to handle and forward transactions, leading to faster confirmation times. It also added initial, preliminary support for the new V2 plot format, allowing users to check their plots with the chia plots check command. The underlying Rust-based chia_rs library was also upgraded to version 0.30.
What this means: This is bullish for XCH because faster transaction processing improves the user experience for sending and receiving coins. The early V2 plot format work shows the development team is proactively working on technologies that could reduce the cost and energy footprint of farming, enhancing the network's long-term sustainability.
(Chia Network)
Conclusion
Chia's development trajectory shows a consistent focus on security hardening, performance optimization, and forward-looking infrastructure like the PoS2 plot format. The project maintains steady, technical updates aimed at strengthening the network's core rather than chasing short-term hype. How will the upcoming PoS2 plot format adoption impact the overall farming landscape and network participation?