TL;DR
- Cardano has completed the transition to full on-chain governance with a community-elected constitutional committee.
- The network has launched a smart contract-based treasury that automates community funds management and is overseen by five independent organizations.
- The community approved the allocation of 96 million ADA to fund upgrades to Ouroboros Leios, Hydra, and Mithril. This is the first time that Cardano's core development has been directly funded through community voting.
cardano reached a tipping point in history: The network has been operational since September Under a complete on-chain governance structurechosen and supported by the community smart contract.
This transformation is Voltaire era — the final stage of the protocol’s roadmap — focused on institutional decentralization and citizen control over ecosystem funding and decision-making.
What changes have been made?
Change started with the first election Constitutional Commission (CC)a completely community-driven organization. Cardano Atlantic Council, Tingvald, Eastern Council. Voting was conducted publicly and verifiably in September in accordance with the guidelines of CIP-1694. 67% From the representative (DReps) 51% From a stake pool operator (SPO). With the inauguration of the new committee, founding organizations IOG, EMURGO, and Cardano Foundation were established. formally relinquished control over the governance process;
In parallel, Cardano Smart contract based treasury Automate the allocation of funds to your community. Replaces administrative management It has auditable logic. Each withdrawal has what it takes Multiple signatures and constitutional approval Before execution. Supervision is provided by: monitoring committee Consists of five independent entities — Sundae Labs, Xerberus, NMKR, DQuadrant, Cardano Foundation — Verify every transaction without participating in political decisions.
Cardano makes its first large-scale allocation through direct voting
The system was tested in July. intersect submitted 39 Withdrawal requests to fund maintenance and infrastructure. Each payment was made within 36 hoursproves that distributed models can match the efficiency of centralized systems. without compromising transparency.
A month later, the community approved the first large-scale allocation. 96 million ADA (approximately $71 million) to fund upgrades to Ouroboros Laios, Hydra, and Mithril. This was the first time that the network's core development was funded directly by community votes rather than founders' finances.
In the new structure, Formal separation of powers between DRep, SPO and Constitutional Commissioncurrently function as the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the network, respectively. These changes will move Cardano away from the Foundation-led model and An autonomous political system where all ADA holders can influence the evolution of the protocol.
