Plutus

Cardano activated the Van Rossem hard fork, moving the network to protocol version 11 while lowering smart contract execution costs. The upgrade also marked the first Cardano hard fork proposed, debated and ratified through onchain governance rather than directed by Input Output.

Cardano developer Input Output is preparing to hand key software components to outside specialist teams, marking a major step in the blockchain’s decentralization roadmap. The transition comes as the network faces weak activity and a sharply lower ADA price, making execution a critical test for the ecosystem.