Key facts
- Cardano's Van Rossem hard fork activated on July 18, upgrading the network to protocol version 11.
- The upgrade reduces smart contract execution costs and lays groundwork for future scalability.
- This is the first Cardano hard fork to be fully approved via its on-chain governance system, not Input Output.
- Version 11 enhances Plutus smart contract capabilities and unifies functions across platform versions.
- The fork prepares for the Ouroboros Leios scaling upgrade anticipated in 2026.
Cardano's 'Van Rossem' hard fork was activated on July 18, marking a significant shift in the blockchain's development process. The network has moved to protocol version 11, which includes technical enhancements such as lower smart contract execution costs and improved Plutus capabilities. This upgrade also serves as procedural and technical groundwork for the anticipated Ouroboros Leios scaling upgrade planned for 2026.
Crucially, the Van Rossem fork is the first in Cardano's history to be proposed, debated, and ratified entirely through its on-chain governance system. Previously, such protocol changes were directed by Input Output, the founding developer. This self-directed upgrade saw delegated representatives vote 78.97% in favor, the constitutional committee deem it compliant, and pool operators approve it by a narrow 53.02% margin. Approximately 93% of block production was already running on version 11 before the activation.
For everyday users, the changes are not immediately visible; ADA transactions and fees remain the same, and wallets do not require updating. However, the upgrade enables developers to build more capable and cost-effective decentralized applications (dApps) by reducing the computational cost of smart contracts. Over time, this could lead to lower transaction fees for users interacting with dApps. The broader implication is a transfer of control over protocol evolution from the founding entities to the network's participants.