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<p style="margin-left:0px;">The official draft of the Cardano constitution was signed in December 2024 and will soon be handed over to the <a href="https://www.emurgo.io/press-news/explaining-the-bodies-in-cardano-governance/">DReps</a> and community for an on-chain vote. Thus, Cardano’s decentralized governance era continues to progress rapidly.&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-left:0px;">Alongside the vote, the Plomin hard fork and the changes it will bring are among the next critical pieces.&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-left:0px;">In this blog, we’ll review the significant blockchain governance changes it will introduce and discuss its implications for the Cardano community and ecosystem.</p><h2 style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Key Takeaways</strong></h2><ul><li>The Plomin hard fork is a Cardano blockchain upgrade that introduces significant governance changes for the community.</li><li>It enables the full implementation of decentralized governance, allowing ADA holders to delegate voting power to DReps (Delegated Representatives) who vote on governance actions.</li><li>Key governance actions include protocol parameter changes, treasury withdrawals, and hard fork initiations.</li><li>The Plomin hard fork requires SPOs (Stake Pool Operators) to upgrade their nodes and approve the upgrade with a 51% majority vote. As of January 22, 78% of the network nodes had upgraded to the new version.</li><li>Once implemented, the Voltaire era of Cardano will be fully realized, giving the community control over the network’s future.</li><li>This marks a significant step towards full community-driven governance on the Cardano blockchain.</li><li>Readiness for supported wallets, dApps, voting, and other information can be found <a href="https://cardanoupgrades.docs.intersectmbo.org/plomin-upgrade/chang-upgrade-2-readiness">here</a>.</li><li>As a member of Cardano’s Interim Constitutional Committee (ICC), EMURGO has cast a vote in support of the hard fork.&nbsp;</li></ul><h2 style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>What is the Plomin Hard Fork?</strong></h2><p style="margin-left:0px;">The Plomin hard fork was initially slated to be the <a href="https://www.emurgo.io/press-news/5-things-to-expect-in-chang-hard-fork-part-2-cardano/">second upgrade</a> of the two-part <a href="https://www.emurgo.io/press-news/what-to-know-about-the-chang-hard-fork-cardano/">Chang hard fork</a>. It was renamed in memory of Cardano community contributor <a href="https://medium.com/@USDMOfficial/for-immediate-release-6d923e801b80">Matthew Plomin</a>. The Plomin hard fork is the follow-up upgrade to the first part of the Chang hard fork, integrated in 2024.&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-left:0px;">A blockchain hard fork updates the software across the distributed network of nodes that validate and secure a blockchain such as Cardano. As each node (or validator in Cardano) follows the protocol that governs the network, it must adopt the upgrade to continue operating. Hard forks enable new functionalities, bolster security, and streamline network operations, among other benefits.</p><p style="margin-left:0px;">This hard fork will deliver the second part of the governance tools outlined in <a href="https://github.com/cardano-foundation/CIPs/blob/master/CIP-1694/README.md#bootstrapping-phase">CIP-1694</a>, a proposal documenting Cardano’s decentralized governance structure. Once completed, the full decentralized governance model will be implemented and recorded on-chain in the Cardano blockchain network. Thus, the Plomin upgrade will be the first blockchain hard fork to utilize on-chain governance to enhance transparency and accountability by network stakeholders, including voting by the Stake Pool Operators (SPOs).&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-left:0px;">The main feature of the Plomin hard fork is the full implementation of delegated representatives (<a href="https://www.emurgo.io/press-news/explaining-the-bodies-in-cardano-governance/">DReps</a>) with treasury withdrawals enabled, and completing the transition from the technical bootstrapping phase of CIP-1694.</p><p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Related reading:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.emurgo.io/press-news/what-to-know-about-the-chang-hard-fork-cardano/">What is the Chang Hard Fork?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.emurgo.io/press-news/explaining-the-bodies-in-cardano-governance/">What are the governance bodies in Cardano? What is a DRep? SPO?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.emurgo.io/press-news/5-takeaways-from-the-cardano-constitutional-convention/">5 key takeaways from the Cardano Constitutional Convention</a></li></ul><p style="margin-left:0px;">After that point, DReps can vote on future <a href="https://developers.cardano.org/docs/governance/cardano-governance/governance-actions/">governance actions</a> with their own ADA and any ADA delegated to them by the community. Also, once the hard fork is completed, all Cardano governance actions will be ready for use.</p><p style="margin-left:0px;">Here are the governance actions:</p><p style="margin-left:auto;"><img class="image_resized" style="width:790px;" src="https://www.emurgo.io/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femurgo.wpengine.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F01%2FAB-Explainer_-The-Plomin-Hard-Fork-Cardano.jpg&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75" alt="Explainer-The-Plomin-Hard-Fork-Cardano-Governance" srcset="/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femurgo.wpengine.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F01%2FAB-Explainer_-The-Plomin-Hard-Fork-Cardano.jpg&amp;w=828&amp;q=75 1x, /_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Femurgo.wpengine.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F01%2FAB-Explainer_-The-Plomin-Hard-Fork-Cardano.jpg&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75 2x" sizes="100vw" width="800" loading="lazy"></p><p style="margin-left:0px;">This is very important since anyone in the Cardano community can trigger a governance action and put it to a vote.&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-left:0px;">Finally, the Plomin hard fork means the community will vote on the Cardano constitution, ratified by the delegates during the Cardano Constitutional Convention. Now that the DReps are fully operational, the community can vote to accept the constitution through their supported DRep. The date for this network-wide vote has yet to be determined.&nbsp;</p><h2 style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Plomin Hard Fork Readiness</strong></h2><p style="margin-left:0px;">As we mentioned, this is the first time the SPOs have had the chance to vote for a hard fork. This means that if the SPOs vote against the upgrade, it will not proceed to be pushed to the main Cardano network.&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-left:0px;">The minimum threshold for approving a hard fork is 51% of the network’s stake, with more than 60% of SPOs approving it as of writing. This means the vote has passed; therefore, the Plomin upgrade will happen. The governance action for the Plomin hard fork expires on January 29. Since it’s expected to pass, the network will upgrade after that date.&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-left:0px;">To connect to the network, the SPOs need to upgrade to node <a href="https://github.com/IntersectMBO/cardano-node/releases">10.1.4</a>. As of January 22, <a href="https://pooltool.io/networkhealth">78%</a> of the network nodes had upgraded to the new version, signaling they were ready to accept the upgrade, while around <a href="https://cexplorer.io/hfs">60%</a> of exchange liquidity has been reported as Ready for the hard fork.</p><p style="margin-left:0px;">Cardano’s <a href="https://www.emurgo.io/press-news/what-is-the-cardano-interim-constitutional-committee-and-constitution/">Interim Constitutional Committee</a> (ICC) will also vote on whether to support the hard fork. The vote threshold to reach is 5 out of 7 constitutional votes. The <a href="https://constitution.gov.tools/en/members">current ICC</a> is composed of EMURGO, IOG, Cardano Foundation, Intersect, Cardano Atlantic Council, Cardano Japan, and Eastern Cardano Council. As a member, EMURGO has cast a supporting vote for the hard fork. See the current voting status <a href="https://adastat.net/governances/0b19476e40bbbb5e1e8ce153523762e2b6859e7ecacbaf06eae0ee6a447e79b900">here</a>.&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-left:0px;"><a href="https://www.emurgo.io/press-news/what-is-the-cardano-interim-constitutional-committee-and-constitution/">Read more: Explaining the Interim Constitutional Committee</a></p><p style="margin-left:0px;">Finally, while some Cardano wallets may not transition to the new Plomin node version, <a href="https://yoroi-wallet.com/">Yoroi Wallet</a> users can be assured that their wallets will be ready. See the Wallets section on the Plomin Upgrade <a href="https://cardanoupgrades.docs.intersectmbo.org/plomin-upgrade/chang-upgrade-2-readiness">webpage</a> for details on which wallets will support the hard fork. Users of these other wallets should consider this and take necessary actions. Other items such as voting status, supporting dApps, and other information can also be found on the page.</p><p style="margin-left:0px;">Once the Plomin hard fork is enacted, the Voltaire era will be fully implemented. From that point forward, it’ll be up to the Cardano community to decide what comes next and to create a new roadmap for the network.&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-left:0px;">It’s the start of a new path for the Cardano network. The community has to take charge and begin tracking the governance actions, register or delegate to a DRep, and <a href="https://www.emurgo.io/press-news/5-ways-to-participate-in-cardano-governance-with-intersect/">engage with Intersect</a> to build the future of the Cardano blockchain.&nbsp;</p><h2 style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Follow EMURGO on LinkedIn and X for more Cardano Governance Content</strong></h2><p style="margin-left:0px;">Want to learn more about Cardano community governance?</p><p style="margin-left:0px;">Then, follow EMURGO on <a href="https://x.com/emurgo_io">X</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/emurgo_io/">LinkedIn</a> for updates and related content.</p><p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>About EMURGO</strong></p><ul><li>Official Homepage: <a href="https://emurgo.io/">emurgo.io</a></li><li>X (Global): <a href="https://x.com/emurgo_io">@EMURGO_io</a></li><li>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgFQ0hHuPO1QDcyP6t9KZTQ">EMURGO channel</a></li><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/emurgo_io/">@EMURGO_io</a></li></ul><p style="margin-left:0px;"><strong>Disclaimer&nbsp;</strong></p><p style="margin-left:0px;"><i>You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained herein shall constitute a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer by EMURGO to invest.</i></p>

EMURGO

Explainer: The Plomin Hard Fork (Cardano)

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								<p><span>Cardano is one of the largest blockchains and among the first to use the proof-of-stake consensus algorithm. While the network has been slipping away from the top 10, it remains one of the most decentralized platforms. Pooltool data </span><a href="https://pooltool.io/" target="_blank"><span>shows</span></a><span> that Cardano has over 2,800 stake pools (or validators) when writing on October 16. </span></p>
<figure><img src="https://bitcoinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-16T151302.743.png?resize=1024%2C399" alt="Cardano stake pool operators | Source: Cardano PoolTool" srcset="https://bitcoinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-16T151302.743.png?w=1764 1764w, https://bitcoinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-16T151302.743.png?w=640 640w, https://bitcoinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-16T151302.743.png?w=768 768w, https://bitcoinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-16T151302.743.png?w=980 980w, https://bitcoinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-16T151302.743.png?w=1536 1536w, https://bitcoinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-16T151302.743.png?w=750 750w, https://bitcoinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-16T151302.743.png?w=1140 1140w" /><figcaption>Cardano stake pool operators | Source: Cardano PoolTool</figcaption></figure>
<p><span>To maintain this level of decentralization, stake pool operators must run nodes and maintain a high uptime, over 99%, to avoid penalties. This is often achieved using centralized cloud service providers like <a href="https://bitcoinist.com/why-did-google-remove-the-bitcoin-price-chart/" target="_blank">Google</a>, Amazon, and others.</span></p>
<h2><span>Developer Proposes To Decentralize Computing Resource Using Physical Infrastructure</span></h2>
<p><span>A proposal now </span><a href="https://cardano.ideascale.com/c/idea/130900" target="_blank"><span>aims</span></a><span> to decentralize the physical computing infrastructure, ensuring that stake pool operators don’t spend cash on centralized solutions but home-run options while </span><span>helping the network grow.</span></p>
<p><span>Although nothing can be taken away from Google and other centralized cloud operators since their computational resources have helped Cardano scale and grow, there are concerns that their role in securing the platform could exert undue influence. </span></p>
<p><span>This approach also goes against what blockchain stands for decentralized systems diffuse power from centralized organizations to individuals, resulting in a more robust and reliable ecosystem.</span></p>
<p><span>Accordingly, the proposer is forwarding an idea to move money away from Amazon, Google, and other centralized cloud service providers that host most of these stake pools to individual networks for resilience and sustainability.  </span></p>
<p><span>The proposal describes using Cardano Home Portal devices to decentralize computing resources. These gadgets are designed specifically for AI computation and will </span><span>be developed</span> <span>with HyperAppliance. Once connected, they will reroute funds otherwise spent on centralized options to the owner’s ADA wallet. </span></p>
<h2><span>Cardano Transits To Voltaire, Decentralizing Governance: Will ADA Rise?</span></h2>
<p><span>This development comes after the transition from Goguen to Voltaire. After Chang, ADA users can now participate in voting, helping shape how the blockchain evolves. </span></p>
<p><span>With decentralized governance, the network shifts away from using centralized federated agents to a community-driven approach via decentralized representatives (DReps) that gives more power to ADA holders. </span></p>
<figure><a href="https://www.tradingview.com/x/meMDrlli/" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.tradingview.com/x/meMDrlli/" alt="Cardano price moving sideways on the daily chart | Source: ADAUSDT on Binance, TradingView" /></a><figcaption>Cardano price moving sideways on the daily chart | Source: <a href="https://www.tradingview.com/x/meMDrlli/" target="_blank">ADAUSDT on Binance, TradingView</a></figcaption></figure>
<p><span>Although Cardano migrated to Voltaire without any hitches, ADA remains under pressure. The coin has been sliding after rallying to $0.80 in March 2024. It is now down 56% from this year’s high and risks plunging lower if bulls fail to break above the current consolidation and resistance at $0.40.</span></p>
<p>Feature image from Canva, chart from TradingView</p>
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		<p><img alt="Dalmas Ngetich" src="https://bitcoinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Dalmas-NewsBTC-2.png?resize=300%2C300" srcset="https://bitcoinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Dalmas-NewsBTC-2.png?resize=300%2C300 2x" />		</p>
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				Dalmas is an experienced journalist with over a decade in Forex, general finance, technology, and blockchain developments. 
He is currently a crypto reporter for Bitcoinist, where he covers DeFi, blockchain, DeFi, and latest industry news. 
His work and that of his partners have been featured in top news outlets, including Forbes, investing.com, CoinTelegraph, and Entrepreneur, among others. 
He is passionate about technology and politics and is always on the lookout for the latest trends in these fields.
He also loves spending time with his family and friends, exploring nature, and traveling to new places. Connect on X: @Dalmas_Ngetich, or message him directly on Telegram here: @Dalmas_Ngetich.			</p>
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Bitcoinist

There's A Proposal To Decentralize Cardano Physical Infrastructure: Will ADA Prices Push Higher?

<div><p>Recently, some bad actors, potentially scammers, have been targeting ADA coin investors using the name of “Cardano Post-Chang Hard Fork Upgrade.”</p><p>Cardano is a popular Proof-of-Stake (PoS) crypto network, known for stable crypto transactions. The project team behind Cardano focuses on practical, use-case-oriented blockchain development rather than following any trend or hype.</p><h2>Chang Hardfork</h2><p>In September of this year, the Cardano blockchain underwent an important upgrade called the Chang Fork. The upgrade was aimed at unlocking the most advanced governance system in the history of the cryptocurrency industry under the Cardano blockchain ecosystem.</p><figure></figure><h2>Cardano Chang Hardfork Scam</h2><p>Following the completion of the Chang Hardfork, many big ADA coin holders, the native token of the Cardano blockchain network, received emails from unknown scammers regarding the Chang Hardfork.</p><p>Reportedly, the scammers asked ADA coin holders to migrate to a new token, falsely claiming it was required to continue using the Cardano ecosystem.</p><p>The scam email sent by these scammers included a suspicious link to an unknown website, where users were prompted to begin the fake migration process. Once on the site, they were instructed to connect their wallets for a “smooth transition,” which was a thinly veiled attempt to gain unauthorised access to their funds.</p><p>To pressure the target, scammers introduced a sense of urgency, warning that the token migration window was open for only 30 days, after which unmigrated ADA would no longer be supported.</p><figure><div><blockquote><p>Scam Alert. Got this via email. If you get this do not click, do not go to the website. ADA does not need a migration. spread the word. <a href="https://t.co/R3NUTcfaEm" target="_blank">pic.twitter.com/R3NUTcfaEm</a></p>— PoolTool (ticker:LOVE) (@Pooltoolio) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pooltoolio/status/1841681902044086710?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">October 3, 2024</a></blockquote> </div></figure><p>Another Crypto X account, belonging to the token distribution platform DripDropz, confirmed to the community that there were no changes to the ADA token and strictly advised people not to interact with the fraudulent email.</p><figure></figure><p><strong><em>Read also: <a target="_blank" href="https://bitcoinik.com/tron-network-surpasses-bitcoin-and-ethereum-with-record-577-million-in-q3-revenue/">Tron Network Surpasses Bitcoin and Ethereum with Record $577 Million in Q3 Revenue!</a></em></strong></p></div>

Bitcoinik

Beware of Fake Cardano Upgrade Scams: Cardano Scam Alert

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								<p>Cardano is making significant strides towards its much-anticipated Chang hard fork. Stake pool operators (SPOs) on the Cardano network have commenced upgrading their nodes to the latest software, Node 9.1.0, as of Thursday. SPOs play a crucial role as validators who authenticate transactions on the blockchain.</p>
<h3>Transition to Decentralized Governance</h3>
<p>The Chang hard fork aims to transfer control of the $14 billion blockchain to ADA holders. The new Node 9.1.0 encompasses all the necessary features required to facilitate the hard fork, as noted in the release document on Cardano’s GitHub. The hard fork will be initiated once at least 70% of all SPOs have upgraded to the new node. Currently, node density for the upgrade stands at 27%, according to data from Cardano’s staking dashboard, PoolTool. Achieving the required 70% node density will trigger a new blockchain proposal to finalize the hard fork.</p>
<h3>Understanding Hard Forks</h3>
<p>Hard forks result in major changes to a blockchain’s software, rendering it incompatible with previous versions once the process is complete. Major blockchains such as Bitcoin and Ethereum have experienced hard forks in the past. For instance, Ethereum’s 2022 hard fork shifted its consensus mechanism from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake.</p>
<h3>Cardano’s Evolution Towards Decentralization</h3>
<p>The Chang hard fork is set to introduce decentralized governance to Cardano, resembling decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) in the DeFi space. The upgrade is named after Phil Chang, an early Cardano evangelist who passed away in 2022. Decentralized governance will signify that Cardano is no longer controlled by the Cardano Foundation, Emurgo, and Input Output Global (IOG)—the three entities previously managing Cardano’s administration. Emurgo acts as Cardano’s commercial arm, while IOG is a blockchain development firm owned by Charles Hoskinson.</p>
<p>With the transition to DAO-like governance, ADA holders will gain the authority to vote on changes to the blockchain. Hoskinson has previously highlighted that this shift to decentralized governance is a testament to Cardano’s maturity over the years. In addition to voting on blockchain changes, ADA holders will also have rights over the project’s budget and treasury. Those not interested in active governance may delegate their voting power to other participants.</p>
<h3>The Voltaire Era and Future Prospects</h3>
<p>The Chang hard fork represents the fifth network change for Cardano, ushering the blockchain into the Voltaire era. According to Cardano’s roadmap, the Voltaire era will decentralize control of the network. Previous eras, named Goguen and Basho, introduced features such as scalability and smart contract functionality.</p>
<h3>Implications and Future Directions</h3>
<p>The implementation of the Chang hard fork is a pivotal moment for Cardano, signaling its ongoing commitment to decentralization and community governance. By empowering ADA holders with voting rights and control over the blockchain’s future, Cardano aims to foster a more democratic and resilient network.</p>
<p>The transition to decentralized governance is expected to attract more participants to the Cardano ecosystem, enhancing its robustness and appeal. The move aligns with broader trends in the blockchain industry, where decentralization and community engagement are increasingly prioritized.</p>
<p>In summary, Cardano’s journey towards the Chang hard fork underscores its dedication to evolving as a decentralized platform. By transferring control to ADA holders and introducing DAO-like governance, Cardano is set to enter a new phase of development, emphasizing community involvement and decentralized decision-making. This significant milestone highlights Cardano’s progress and its vision for a more inclusive and democratic blockchain ecosystem.</p>
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Cardano staking stats since 2019. PoolTool aims to provide a clean / simple platform for comparing stake pool performance.

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