Cardano, the blockchain platform known for its scientific approach and rigorous development process, has announced a delay in the implementation of its highly anticipated Chang hardfork. Originally slated for an earlier date, the upgrade has been pushed back to September 1, 2024, as confirmed by Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter).
The Chang hardfork represents a significant milestone for Cardano, marking the transition into the Voltaire era of the platform’s roadmap. This upgrade is set to introduce decentralized governance mechanisms and on-chain voting, further enhancing Cardano’s commitment to community-driven development. Despite the readiness of the upgrade itself, the delay is primarily attributed to the need for major cryptocurrency exchanges, particularly Binance, to adequately prepare their systems for the changes.
The decision to postpone came after a careful assessment of the ecosystem’s preparedness. While Stake Pool Operators (SPOs) had reached the threshold of 80% upgrade to version 9.1.0 of the software, exchanges and decentralized applications lagged behind. The Cardano team has set a desired threshold of 85% readiness across all ecosystem participants, with current exchange liquidity standing at 46%. This delay underscores the importance of ensuring a smooth transition for all stakeholders in the Cardano ecosystem, particularly considering the critical role that exchange liquidity plays in the broader cryptocurrency market.
Despite the setback, Hoskinson remains optimistic, assuring the community that “nothing” will stop the Chang hardfork from eventually being implemented. This delay serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between blockchain development and the broader cryptocurrency infrastructure, highlighting the challenges of coordinating major upgrades across a diverse ecosystem of stakeholders.
