Conflux (CFX) Network Prepares for Major Hardfork with Eight CIP Implementations

Conflux (CFX) Network is gearing up for a significant system upgrade, which will involve the activation of eight Conflux Improvement Proposals (CIPs) and several related Remote Procedure Call (RPC) updates. This major hardfork is designed to enhance the network's compatibility with Ethereum's Virtual Machine (EVM) and address various bug fixes and specification adjustments, according to the Conflux Forum.

CIPs and Their Impact

The upcoming hardfork will incorporate several CIPs, including CIP-150, CIP-151, CIP-152, CIP-154, CIP-156, CIP-165, CIP-645, and CIP-7702. These proposals are categorized into three primary areas: EVM compatibility, bug fixes, and specification adjustments.

Among the CIPs, CIP-150, CIP-151, and CIP-152 focus on aligning Conflux with Ethereum's EIPs, such as disallowing the deployment of new code starting with certain bytecodes and preventing contract destruction through SELFDESTRUCT. CIP-154 addresses an implementation error in a previous CIP, while CIP-156 modifies penalties for Proof-of-Stake malicious behavior.

CIP-165 introduces precompiles for BLS12-381 curve operations, facilitating efficient BLS signature verification. CIP-645 aims to align Conflux eSpace with Ethereum's EVM to enhance developer experience and compatibility with Ethereum development tools. Lastly, CIP-7702 introduces EIP-7702 to Conflux eSpace, further bridging the gap between Conflux and Ethereum.

RPC Updates

The hardfork will also bring numerous updates to Conflux's RPC, enhancing its functionality and compatibility. Key changes include support for EIP-7702 transactions and updates to transaction-related RPCs, such as eth_call and eth_estimateGas. Additionally, the upgrade will adjust the gas limit for eSpace transactions and introduce parity style trace RPCs compatible with parity and erigon.

These trace methods will now support SelfDestruct(Suicide) trace, requiring a data resync to access historical selfdestruct transaction data. Furthermore, eSpace will now support geth style txpool namespace methods, offering enhanced transaction pool management capabilities.

Industry Implications

This comprehensive upgrade signifies Conflux's commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in the blockchain space by ensuring compatibility with Ethereum's advancements. By implementing EVM-compatible features and addressing key issues, Conflux aims to provide a more robust infrastructure for developers and users alike.

As the blockchain industry continues to evolve, such updates are crucial for networks like Conflux to remain relevant and efficient. The planned hardfork not only enhances technical capabilities but also positions Conflux as a forward-thinking player in the decentralized ecosystem.