GetBlock Magazine - What happened? The team of developers of the Cardano blockchain with a native ADA token has published a new version of the software for validators Node 9.0. According to the founder of the network, Charles Hoskinson, this is the final stage in preparation for the Chang hardfork, which is designed to increase the decentralization of the project.

Software page on Github

What else is known? As Hoskinson noted, for a hard fork to occur, 70% of nodes must vote to switch to new software. Chang will be the first step towards complete decentralization of Cardano governance. According to the roadmap, with it begins the so-called “Era of Voltaire” - a period in the development of the project, characterized by large-scale changes in the political system of the network.

The changes are outlined in Cardano Improvement Proposal (CIP) number 1694. According to it, the network will introduce delegate representatives (DReps) who will be elected by holders of native ADA tokens.

In turn, these representatives will develop a draft “Cardano Constitution”, which will become the main governing document of the network. Once accepted, DReps will be able to propose other improvements to Cardano in accordance with this document.

The notes for Node 9.0 state that it does not yet include DReps voting and all governance actions, the full voting protocol will only be provided in version 10.0. Regardless, the new version "supports the transition to the initial phase of CIP-1694 in production environments." Hoskinson noted that he expects the hard fork to begin on July 8 or 9.

The Chang hard fork, first introduced in the 2024 roadmap, will introduce a new consensus mechanism to the network. As Hoskinson previously noted, Cardano "will have the most advanced systems for managing the blockchain, annual budgets and treasury, as well as the wisdom of the entire community to guide the project."

In early May, Hoskinson proposed integrating Cardano with the Bitcoin Cash (BCH) network. According to him, this will allow Bitcoin Cash to become the fastest and most useful blockchain with a Proof of Work (PoW) consensus algorithm. The initiative in the developer's X-account was supported by 69% of users.

At the end of May, ADA fell out of the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization for the first time in several years. At the time of writing, it ranks 11th with $13.3 billion and is trading at $0.3738, having lost 1% per day. The weekly decline was 9.4%, and since the beginning of the year the asset has lost 37.2%.