Cardano activated the Van Rossem hard fork at 21:44:51 UTC on July 18, 2026, moving the network to protocol version 11 without reported downtime, according to Odaily. The change falls within the Conway ledger era and is designed to reduce Plutus smart contract execution costs, improve ledger security, and add new cryptographic tools. The upgrade packages five Cardano Improvement Proposals covering BLS12-381 multi-scalar multiplication, on-chain array types, optimized multi-asset value handling, faster list operations, and built-in modular exponentiation. It also changes staking pool requirements by barring pools from reusing the same verifiable random function key across the network, with each pool required to hold a unique key tied to its identity. The proposal advanced through Cardano’s on-chain governance process from submission to activation. Delegate representatives approved it with 77.63% support, stake pool operators backed it by 52.7%, and the Constitutional Committee vote was 6-0-0-1. Odaily also said wallets holding between 100,000 and 100 million ADA have risen to their highest combined balance since 2023 and now control more than a quarter of circulating ADA supply. Cardano’s next step is Ouroboros Leios, with a plan to target more than 1,000 transactions per second during testing in 2026.
Cardano activated the Van Rossem hard fork at 21:44:51 UTC on July 18, 2026, upgrading the network to protocol version 11 with no reported downtime, according to Odaily.
The upgrade is part of changes introduced in the Conway ledger era. It is intended to lower the cost of running Plutus smart contracts, strengthen ledger security, and add new cryptographic tools.
Five improvement proposals included in the upgrade
Van Rossem includes five Cardano Improvement Proposals covering:
- BLS12-381 multi-scalar multiplication
- On-chain array types
- Optimizations for multi-asset value handling
- Faster list operations
- Built-in modular exponentiation
The upgrade also changes requirements for stake pools. Pools can no longer reuse the same verifiable random function key across the network, and each pool must hold a unique key tied to its identity.
Approved through on-chain governance
The hard fork was completed through Cardano’s on-chain governance process, with the proposal moving to activation through on-chain voting.
Delegate representatives approved the measure with 77.63% support. Stake pool operators backed it by 52.7%, while the Constitutional Committee vote was 6-0-0-1.
ADA holdings and next roadmap item
Odaily said wallets holding between 100,000 and 100 million ADA have climbed to their highest combined balance since 2023. Those wallets now control more than one-quarter of ADA’s circulating supply.
Cardano’s next planned step is Ouroboros Leios. The network also aims to exceed 1,000 transactions per second during testing in 2026.
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