Cardano Initiates Chang Hard Fork for Key Decentralized Governance Upgrades  

• The two-phase Chang Hard Fork introduces decentralized voting and governance features to strengthen Cardano’s community-led decisions.
• Scheduled for mid-October, Cardano node v10 will enable extensive testing ahead of the November hard fork.
• Phase two will empower Cardano’s Stake Pool Operators (SPOs) to vote using delegated stake, enhancing decentralized governance.

Cardano’s latest network upgrade, the Chang Hard Fork, has begun transforming the blockchain’s governance structure and decentralization features. Known as a two-part process, the Chang Hard Fork introduces essential upgrades that support Cardano’s aim of decentralization.

The first phase, Chang 1, launched on September 1, set the stage for the project’s Interim Constitutional Committee, which will play a central role in Cardano’s governance decisions.

The second phase, Chang 2, set for November 2024, will integrate substantial governance tools into Cardano, requiring five critical on-chain actions to enhance its decentralized framework.

Testing of Cardano Node v10 Starts in October

To support the second phase, Cardano’s development team has scheduled the release of node v10 for testing in October. This testing phase will evaluate network performance and stability across various environments. The upgrade prepares Cardano for the November hard fork, advancing it into the decentralized governance era of Voltaire.

This meticulous approach to network testing reflects the importance of the upcoming hard fork, which will solidify the network’s governance protocols. Node v10 is set to complete the Chang upgrade by optimizing the blockchain’s functionality and preparing it for the governance features expected in November.

The Chang 2 upgrade will introduce Delegate Representative (DRep) Voting, a new voting mechanism aimed at empowering community participation. This mechanism will allow DReps to act as key governance representatives for the Cardano community. DReps and SPOs will gain voting power based on their stake, playing a more active role in Cardano’s governance.

The upgrade introduces treasury withdrawal capabilities, supporting approved governance actions directly from Cardano’s treasury. This function enables the community to propose governance actions by making a small ADA deposit, refunded after the voting period. These governance actions will be voted on by DReps and SPOs to align with the Cardano community’s vision.