Key insights:
- Cardano submitted $38.9M proposals, cutting treasury request by 60 percent compared to last year’s funding cycle.
- DReps voted via Intersect by May 24 to approve or reject Cardano roadmap execution plans.
- Leios upgrade targets up to 65x throughput with testnet launch scheduled for June 2026 timeline.
- Roadmap includes Pogun DeFi market, Hydra scaling, Midgard L2, and Babel Fees for flexible payments.
Cardano has entered a new governance phase as its roadmap funding moves to a community vote. The proposals aim to improve performance and expand use cases, while reducing treasury spending compared to last year.
Cardano Submits Reduced Treasury Proposals for Community Vote
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson and Input Output Hong Kong submitted nine treasury proposals totaling $38.9 million. The request is 60% lower than the $97.5 million proposed in the previous year.
The proposals focus on product delivery and network upgrades, while limiting operational overhead. Hoskinson stated that the plan aims to push ADA “back into the top 10 and beyond.” The funding decision will depend on a community governance process.
Delegated representatives, known as DReps, will vote through Intersect. The voting process is scheduled to end on May 24. The outcome will decide whether the roadmap proceeds or faces delays.
The governance model reflects Cardano shift toward decentralized decision-making. The vote gives token holders a direct role in funding network development. This structure has become central to Cardano’s long-term strategy.
Roadmap Focuses on Scaling, DeFi, and Flexible Fees
The roadmap includes the Leios consensus upgrade, which targets 10 to 65 times higher throughput. Developers plan to launch a testnet for Leios in June 2026. The upgrade aims to improve transaction speed and network efficiency.
The plan also introduces Pogun, a Bitcoin-based DeFi credit market expected in the second quarter of 2026. Additional scaling solutions include Hydra and Midgard, which aim to support layer-2 expansion and improve performance.
Another feature under review is Babel Fees, which would allow users to pay transaction fees in different native tokens. This feature could increase usability and attract broader participation in the network.
At the time of reporting, ADA trades at $0.2480 with a 24-hour volume of $244,675,667. The token recorded a 0.47 percent increase over the past day. Market activity continues as the community prepares for the vote outcome.
