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ADA Cardano makes history: The first hard fork for full on-chain governance is activated on the mainnet
Cardano has reached a new milestone in blockchain governance. The Van Rossem hard fork was activated on the Cardano main network on July 18, 2026, introducing version 11 of the protocol.
This is the first time that a Cardano hard fork has been approved entirely through the network chain governance system without the need for coordination from any founding agency.
Cardano's Voltaire era governance structure, including delegated representatives (DReps), equity pool operators (SPOs), and Cardano Committee (CC), successfully approved the hard fork launch action.
The Van Rossem hard fork brings technical improvements and governance milestones
The Van Rossem hard fork, named after Cardano developer Alexander van Rossem, introduces multiple technical improvements to the network. This upgrade focuses on Plutus script improvements, including new primitives and cost model adjustments, designed to reduce smart contract execution costs.
These changes give developers greater flexibility when building decentralized applications on the Cardano blockchain.
van Rossem hard fork update
The hard fork was successfully activated at around 21:44 UTC on July 18, 2026, and node operators upgraded in advance to prevent chain splitting. Successful activation requires ecosystem partners, SPOs, DApps, developers and exchanges to coordinate across multiple networks to ensure main-network events are secure.
This governance milestone is particularly important for Cardano's long-term roadmap. The successful delivery of a hard fork through on-chain voting proves that the network can now be upgraded through its governance layer.
After the hard fork activation, Cardano's native ADA token saw a slight price increase. The cryptocurrency has risen 1.5% to $0.166 in the past 24 hours, slightly better than the cautious rally of the overall market.
However, this trend lacks support from high volume. This suggests that price increases are amplified more by positive sentiment and technical factors than by aggressive buying behavior. The main driving force remains the successful V11 hard fork activation, a key governance and technical milestone for the Cardano Network.
ADA faces immediate resistance near the daily average of 50, about $0.168. If a breakthrough is confirmed, it may test the Fibonacci 38.2% retracement level, approximately US$0.176. The key support area is around $0.13.
The successful activation of the Van Rossem hard fork through on-chain governance is an important moment for Cardano. The network has proven that it can achieve transition through decentralized decision-making while delivering meaningful improvements.
FAQ
What is a Cardano hard fork
A Cardano hard fork is a network upgrade used to introduce new features or protocol changes. Cardano uses its hard fork combiner to allow upgrades without splitting the blockchain into two separate networks.
Can Cardano ADA reach US$10?
ADA prices reaching $10 are possible, but require wider adoption, stronger demand, and favorable market conditions. There is no guarantee that Cardano will reach this level.
Which blockchain is Cardano built on
Cardano is its own first-level blockchain. It uses the Ouroboros proof-of-stake consensus mechanism to verify transactions and protect network security.
