Deep Dive
1. Replay Attack Protection (22 August 2022)
Overview: ETHW enforced EIP-155, requiring all transactions to include Chain ID signatures. This prevents cross-chain replay attacks, ensuring actions on ETHW (e.g., NFT trades) don’t affect Ethereum’s PoS chain.
The update hardcoded Chain ID validation into the protocol, eliminating risks of transaction duplication across forks. This addressed a long-standing Ethereum vulnerability that persisted due to backward-compatibility concerns.
What this means: This is bullish for ETHW because it enhances security for users interacting with its network, differentiating it from Ethereum’s PoS chain. Reduced attack risks could attract developers seeking a stable PoW environment. (Source)
2. Contract Freeze Proposal (22 August 2022)
Overview: ETHW Core tested a contract-freezing mechanism in a separate code branch, allowing temporary suspension of smart contracts during emergencies.
The feature was designed for governance-controlled pauses, such as halting exploits in decentralized apps. However, its integration into the mainnet remains undecided, pending community consensus.
What this means: This is neutral for ETHW. While added security could appeal to cautious users, centralized intervention risks conflict with decentralization principles. Traders should monitor governance decisions for updates. (Source)
Conclusion
ETHW’s last confirmed code changes focus on security and governance flexibility but date back to 2022. With no recent updates detected, development momentum appears stagnant. How might ETHW’s PoW focus adapt to evolving regulatory and technical landscapes?