why do hard forks happen 
there are several reasons a hard fork might happen code might need adjusting to fix errors or address a weakness or a group might want to create their own blockchain and cryptocurrency the bottom linehard forks are a change in programming that results in a blockchain split sometimes hard forks are controversial in the community involved in a blockchain at other times they are necessary for a blockchain to progress in situations with controversy participants and users can either upload the updated blockchain and begin processing it or reject it and use the old chain this is how several blockchains and cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin cash and ethereum classic started the comments opinions and analyses expressed on investopedia are for informational purposes online read our warranty and liability disclaimer for more info 