Protocol upgrades rather than prices are emerging as a key variable for the blockchain market in the second half of 2026. Cointelegraph reported that Ethereum, Solana and Avalanche are preparing major upgrades, while Coinbase’s Base recently implemented the Beryl hard fork. This year’s upgrade focus is shifting toward stability, predictable governance and institutional-grade infrastructure. Ethereum’s Glamsterdam, Solana’s Alpenglow and Base’s Beryl include changes aimed at scalability and finality, while Avalanche is prioritising restructuring tied to institutional demand and tokenised assets.