Bitcoin Cash Node 29.0.0 was released as the major version implementing the Network Upgrade activated on May 15, 2026. Unlike the later 29.1.0 maintenance release, this version contains consensus changes and is therefore a key compatibility release for nodes following the current Bitcoin Cash rules.
The release implements four consensus-level CHIPs. Pay to Script introduces a new script-commitment mechanism; Bounded Looping Operations adds constrained loops; Functions adds definition and invocation operations; and Bitwise re-enables a set of bitwise operations. Together, the changes expand the capabilities of the Bitcoin Cash virtual machine while retaining explicit execution limits.
BCHN 29.0.0 also includes additional performance fixes, corrections and general improvements. The project specifically urges operators running 28.x or older versions to upgrade because those nodes do not implement the rules required by the May Network Upgrade.
For infrastructure teams, the important distinction is that 29.0.0 changes protocol behavior rather than only RPC settings or user interfaces. It establishes the rule set needed to remain synchronized after the hard-fork activation and remains the baseline upgrade point for nodes that have not yet moved past the May network change.