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+# HF3 Block Version 2 Support
+
+**Date:** 2026-03-16
+**Author:** Charon
+**Package:** `forge.lthn.ai/core/go-blockchain`
+**Status:** Approved
+
+## Context
+
+HF3 increments the block major version from 1 to 2 (`HF3_BLOCK_MAJOR_VERSION`). This is a preparatory hardfork for Zarcanum (HF4). No new transaction types, no new validation rules — purely a version gate.
+
+On mainnet, HF3 is at height 999,999,999 (future). On testnet, HF3 activates at height 0 (genesis).
+
+## Scope
+
+- Add block major version validation to `consensus/block.go` `ValidateBlock`
+- Validate version progression: HF0→0, HF1/HF2→1, HF3→2, HF4+→3
+
+## Design
+
+### consensus/block.go — ValidateBlock
+
+Add a `checkBlockVersion` function called from `ValidateBlock`:
+
+```go
+func checkBlockVersion(majorVersion uint8, height uint64, forks []config.HardFork) error {
+    expected := expectedBlockMajorVersion(height, forks)
+    if majorVersion != expected {
+        return fmt.Errorf("%w: got %d, expected %d at height %d",
+            ErrBlockVersion, majorVersion, expected, height)
+    }
+    return nil
+}
+
+func expectedBlockMajorVersion(height uint64, forks []config.HardFork) uint8 {
+    switch {
+    case config.IsHardForkActive(forks, config.HF4Zarcanum, height):
+        return config.CurrentBlockMajorVersion // 3
+    case config.IsHardForkActive(forks, config.HF3, height):
+        return config.HF3BlockMajorVersion // 2
+    case config.IsHardForkActive(forks, config.HF1, height):
+        return config.HF1BlockMajorVersion // 1
+    default:
+        return config.BlockMajorVersionInitial // 0
+    }
+}
+```
+
+This covers all hardforks in one function. `ValidateBlock` signature needs `forks []config.HardFork` added (it currently receives forks via the caller).
+
+### errors.go
+
+Add `ErrBlockVersion` sentinel error.
+
+### Testing
+
+- Test version 0 valid pre-HF1, rejected post-HF1
+- Test version 1 valid post-HF1, rejected pre-HF1 and post-HF3
+- Test version 2 valid post-HF3, rejected pre-HF3 and post-HF4
+- Test version 3 valid post-HF4
+- Test with both mainnet and testnet fork schedules
+
+## Note
+
+This function also satisfies HF1's block version requirement (issue #8 from the HF1 spec review). Implementing this as part of HF3 means the HF1 plan doesn't need a separate version check — this single function handles all hardforks.
+
+## Out of scope
+
+- Block minor version validation (not consensus-critical in current chain)