Cardano Successfully Enacts van Rossem Hard Fork Ahead of Leios Upgrade

Cardano Activates van Rossem Hard Fork

Cardano has successfully activated the van Rossem hard fork, transitioning its mainnet to Protocol Version 11. This upgrade took effect at the epoch boundary on July 18, following governance approval.

Details of the Upgrade

The van Rossem hard fork is significant as it is the first hard fork approved via Cardano’s onchain governance. This upgrade enhances Plutus costs and sets the stage for the upcoming Ouroboros Leios protocol, aimed at increasing transaction throughput.

Governance and Support

The hard fork was confirmed by Intersect after extensive testing and infrastructure updates. It received strong backing from the community, with 77.63% support from delegated representatives (DReps) and 52.7% approval from stake pool operators (SPOs). The governance record on Cardanoscan reflects that the proposal for Protocol Version 11 was ratified by Cardano’s representatives on July 13.

Performance Improvements

The upgrade is an intra-era hard fork, keeping Cardano within the Conway era while implementing updates to parts of its protocol. It introduces new capabilities to Plutus, aiming to reduce costs associated with certain smart contract operations, along with technical improvements to boost overall network performance.

Preparation for Future Upgrades

Furthermore, the van Rossem hard fork lays the groundwork for the next planned upgrade identified as the Dijkstra hard fork. This forthcoming upgrade will introduce Ouroboros Leios, which is intended to optimize transaction throughput while maintaining Cardano’s existing security structure. Development is ongoing, with efforts focused on stabilizing the Leios testnet and improving block certification rates.

Shift to Community Governance

van Rossem marks a pivotal change for Cardano, as it is the first major upgrade managed through the Voltaire onchain governance system. This transition signifies Cardano’s dedication to community-led initiatives rather than earlier coordination models. The decision-making process for this upgrade involved DReps, SPOs, and the Constitutional Committee after technical teams completed their preparations.

Looking Ahead

As Cardano operates on Protocol Version 11, the development team continues to work on the anticipated Dijkstra upgrade and Ouroboros Leios. Although no specific date has been announced for the mainnet launch of Leios, coverage suggests it could occur later in 2026.