> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://blog.morph.network/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Jade Upgrade: MorphTx, MPT Migration, and Stronger Ethereum Equivalence - URL: https://blog.morph.network/jade-upgrade/ - Published: 2026-03-19T16:00:36.000Z - Updated: 2026-03-19T16:00:35.000Z - Author: Morph - Tags: jade upgrade, morph Today, Morph rolls out the **Jade Upgrade**, introducing a renamed and enhanced transaction type, the completion of a critical state trie migration, and general performance improvements. This release brings Morph meaningfully closer to full Ethereum equivalence while keeping the network fast and reliable for users and developers. Below is an overview of what's included in Jade. **Three core improvements to the Morph chain:** • MorphTx Transaction Type with Reference Key • Jade Fork Activation and MPT Migration • General Performance Optimizations ## Feature #1: MorphTx Transaction Type with Reference Key Morph is building a payment settlement layer, and that mission shapes every technical decision at the protocol level. One gap in the current architecture: the native transaction structure has no way to carry additional fields that off-chain systems can use to identify and look up a payment. Morph’s standard transactions work well for general use, but merchants and payment platforms need more. They need a way to tag a transaction with a reference they control, then query it directly from on-chain data without relying on workarounds. The Jade upgrade addresses this by renaming the previous AltFeeTx (type 0x7F) to **MorphTx** and adding a new field: the **Reference Key**. It’s a 32-byte identifier embedded directly in the transaction, designed with three requirements in mind: - **Indexing:** The Reference Key supports indexed queries on its own or in combination with other fields, so off-chain systems can look up any transaction directly by its reference. - **Performance:** The addition introduces no degradation to chain performance. Speed and throughput remain unaffected. - **Readability and Usability:** The key is designed to be easy for merchants to generate and use, lowering the barrier for real-world payment integrations. For payment processors, neobanks, and settlement platforms building on Morph, this is a foundational improvement. The Reference Key bridges on-chain and off-chain systems, making it straightforward to tie a blockchain transaction back to a real-world payment record without any intermediaries or custom indexing infrastructure. ## Feature #2: Jade Fork Activation and MPT Migration The Jade upgrade completes one of the most significant infrastructure changes in Morph's history: the full migration from **zkTrie** to the standard **Merkle Patricia Trie (MPT)**. **Why this matters:** • MPT is Ethereum's native state trie format, meaning Morph now shares the same underlying data structure as mainnet Ethereum • This reduces friction for developers building on or porting tools to Morph • It brings Morph significantly closer to full **Ethereum equivalence**, making the network more compatible with the broader Ethereum tooling ecosystem Node operators are strongly encouraged to deploy a fresh MPT node rather than upgrading in place, using the --morph-mpt flag when starting geth. ## Feature #3: General Performance Optimizations Alongside the headline features, the Jade upgrade includes a range of under-the-hood improvements to overall node performance and stability, continuing Morph's commitment to a reliable, high-throughput network. ## Jade Activation Schedule | **Network** | **Activation Time (UTC)** | | ------------- | ------------------------- | | Hoodi Testnet | 2026-03-25 06:00 | | Mainnet | 2026-04-08 06:00 | There will be **no downtime** during the upgrade. User transactions will not be affected. ## Action Required: Node Operators All node operators must upgrade before the activation time on their respective network to avoid forking or falling out of sync. Morph strongly recommends redeploying a fresh MPT node rather than upgrading in place. Add the --morph-mpt flag when starting geth. **Upgrading from a version prior to v0.4.10?** Make sure to add the --l1.rpc parameter during this upgrade. **For Morph Hoodi (Testnet) Nodes** Add the following flags to your startup command: ``` --l1.rpc= --derivation.rollupAddress=0x57e0e6dde89dc52c01fe785774271504b1e04664 ``` Or set these environment variables: ``` MORPH_NODE_L1_ETH_RPC= MORPH_NODE_ROLLUP_ADDRESS=0x57e0e6dde89dc52c01fe785774271504b1e04664 ``` **For Morph Mainnet Nodes** Ensure your startup command includes the --mainnet flag, then add: `--l1.rpc=` Or set the environment variable: `MORPH_NODE_L1_ETH_RPC=` ## Why the Jade Upgrade Matters The Jade Upgrade pushes Morph forward on two fronts simultaneously: making the network more payment-ready with trackable MorphTx transactions, and more Ethereum-compatible with the completion of the MPT migration. • Payment platforms and financial apps gain a native tool for transaction attribution through the Reference Key • Developers benefit from deeper Ethereum tooling compatibility with the standard MPT state trie • The network becomes more predictable and stable with general performance improvements throughout Jade isn't just an upgrade. It's a step toward a **more traceable, compatible, and payment-ready Morph**. ## Latest Code Versions • go-ethereum:[ morph-v2.2.1](https://github.com/morph-l2/go-ethereum/releases/tag/morph-v2.2.1?ref=blog.morph.network) • Morph node:[ v0.5.2](https://github.com/morph-l2/morph/releases/tag/v0.5.2?ref=blog.morph.network) **How to run a full MPT Node on Morph:**