Cardano’s van Rossem hard fork nears final ratification as on-chain support grows

Intersect has released an update on the status of the van Rossem hard fork, a pivotal upgrade for the Cardano blockchain. This intra-era hard fork will implement Protocol Version 11, introducing performance enhancements to Plutus, improved ledger consistency, and heightened node security. The upgrade also includes new primitives, VRF key uniqueness, and revised rules for reference inputs.

Ratification timeline and governance process

The Cardano network is in the closing 12 hours of epoch 642, a key window for completing the governance procedures required for the hard fork’s ratification. Cardano is a proof-of-stake blockchain platform focused on scalable and secure decentralized applications and known for its staged approach to development and rigorous peer review process.

Governance actions, including the ratification of the van Rossem hard fork, are currently under way. If ratification is not achieved by the end of epoch 642, the next two scheduled dates for possible enactment are July 18 and July 23. All actions must be completed before the hard fork’s expiration deadline on July 18.

Ratification is dependent on meeting several thresholds in Cardano’s on-chain governance, including support from Delegated Representatives (DReps), stake pool operators (SPOs), and approvals by Constitutional Committee (CC) members.

On-chain voting and adoption metrics

The van Rossem hard fork has surpassed key on-chain thresholds. DReps have provided 76.81% approval, exceeding the 60% requirement, while SPOs have reached 52.76%, passing the 51% threshold. In the Constitutional Committee, four out of five required approvals are in, though a final fifth vote—or an abstain—remains necessary. The CC is a governing body responsible for overseeing protocol changes and ratifications within Cardano’s evolving decentralized governance framework.

With on-chain voting close to completion, community attention has shifted to the governance-action priority system. Under the ledger rules, a hard fork ratification takes precedence over any other active governance actions, meaning that all simultaneous proposals will be postponed until the hard fork ratification is resolved.

Ecosystem adoption continues to grow, with 93% of block production in the current epoch now operating on Protocol Version 11. Exchange readiness has also increased, reaching 84.15% of tracked liquidity, which surpasses the set requirement.

Mini dictionary: Intersect is a member-based organization focused on supporting and guiding decentralized governance within the Cardano ecosystem, bringing together various community stakeholders and institutions to coordinate protocol development and upgrades.

In its latest report, Intersect confirmed that the Hard Fork Working Group has formally recommended that the van Rossem upgrade proceed to ratification.

Hard Fork Working Group members have formally recommended ratification of the van Rossem upgrade, with Intersect noting that block production and exchange readiness have both surpassed the set thresholds.

To meet the final requirements, at least one additional Constitutional Committee member must vote or abstain, bringing the tally to the necessary five approvals. Until this occurs, the pending governance actions will be delayed in accordance with Cardano’s established rules.