- Hedera has started a private preview of Block Nodes across its previewnet, testnet, and mainnet.
- The new block streaming format (HIP-1056) will replace the current record file system by 2026.
- Mirror Node operators must upgrade to version 0.148.0 by May 2026 to ensure data compatibility and uninterrupted service.
- Block Nodes will provide faster, cheaper access to network data by streaming information directly instead of relying on cloud storage.
- Community access for testing Block Nodes and Stream integrations will start in early 2026.
Hedera is conducting a private preview of its new Block Nodes system on the previewnet, testnet, and mainnet. Block Nodes, planned for full launch in 2026, will serve as a decentralized and cost-efficient data resource for the Hedera network. They replace the current system that uses large cloud storage buckets for data access.
Currently, Mirror Nodes download network data using a record file format, but future operations will switch to a unified stream format called Block Streams (HIP-1056). Mirror Node operators must prepare for this change by upgrading to a compatible Mirror Node version 0.148.0, which is scheduled for release in February 2026. Upgrades must be completed before the network upgrades consensus nodes to version 0.74.0 in June 2026.
The engineering team began private preview deployments in November 2025, with Block Nodes running parallel to existing record file systems. Some functionalities, such as cryptographic block signing using the hinTS threshold signature scheme (HIP-1200), are still being refined. Hedera plans to open community access for testing in the first quarter of 2026, allowing Mirror Node operators to test integration on previewnet and testnet environments.
Once deployed, Block Nodes will offer immediate streaming of network consensus data, on-demand retrieval of both recent and historical block data, and future support for filtered block queries. These features will reduce latency, lower costs, and eliminate dependencies on centralized cloud storage, improving data reliability and operational efficiency.
The transition affects the architecture of Mirror Nodes. Instead of downloading record files, Mirror Nodes will subscribe directly to Block Nodes for live data. During an initial transition phase, Mirror Nodes without full access to Block Nodes can still ingest block data from limited-history cloud buckets in the new Block Streams format.
Mirror Node operators who do not upgrade will lose the ability to ingest data, support state queries, and risk operational outages. Hedera recommends that operators review the technical details of HIP-1056 Block Streams and HIP-1081 Block Nodes to prepare for the migration.
Reference materials and more information are available through Hedera’s official documentation and channels, including the Ledger/hiero-block-node”>Hiero Block Node Github Repository and various technical community calls.
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