Cardano is about to get a major upgrade, called the “Chang” hard fork, which will usher in the “Voltaire” era. This means Cardano will become more decentralized, with community members having a bigger say in how the network runs.
Node Upgrade: The Key to Voltaire
The latest version of Cardano’s node software, version 9.1.0, is crucial for the Chang hard fork. This upgrade includes all the necessary changes to make the transition happen.
Charles Hoskinson, Cardano’s founder, announced the upgrade on X (formerly Twitter), saying “This is it. End of the line, node 9.1 is Voltaire. Happy upgrading SPOs. Welcome to Chang.”
Intersect, a group focused on Cardano’s future, also confirmed the announcement, saying “Node 9.1.0 is here! The final version to bring on-chain decision-making to Cardano is here.”
What’s New in Node 9.1.0?
The upgrade from version 9.0.0 to 9.1.0 is a big deal. It includes a new “genesis file” that’s essential for the Chang hard fork. This file was optional before, but now it’s mandatory.
Node 9.1.0 also has a bunch of bug fixes and improvements, including:
- New “query treasury” command: This gives users a better look at the network’s finances.
- CIP69 and CIP119 compatibility: These updates make it easier to manage and identify transactions.
The Community Decides When the Hard Fork Happens
The Chang hard fork won’t happen automatically. The Cardano community will decide when it’s ready. The hard fork will go live once 70% of validators have adopted the new node.
Chang: A Major Step Towards Decentralization
The Chang hard fork is a huge step for Cardano. It will move the network from the “Vasil” upgrade to a system where community members have a direct say in how things work.
Here’s how it works:
- On-chain governance: ADA holders can directly participate in decision-making through voting.
- Delegate Representatives (DReps): These representatives will speak for the community and guide the network’s future.
Two Phases of the Chang Upgrade
The Chang upgrade is split into two phases:
- Chang Upgrade #1: This phase will introduce the initial governance features to Cardano.
- Chang Upgrade #2: This phase will fully activate on-chain governance, including DRep participation and complete governance actions.
Honoring Phil Chang
This upgrade is a tribute to Phil Chang, a key figure in Cardano’s governance strategy who passed away in 2022. His work was crucial in developing the concept of the Voltaire era, which the Chang upgrade aims to bring to life.
At the time of writing, ADA was trading at $0.4134. /p>
