The Cardano network is on the verge of the Chang hard fork, which will mark the beginning of the Voltaire era. The transition is enabled by the latest version of the node validator software, version 9.1.0, which incorporates crucial updates essential for the hard fork. Charles Hoskinson, the founder of Cardano, declared via X, “That’s it. End of line, node 9.1 is Voltaire. Happy SPO update. Welcome to Chang.”
Additionally, Intersect, a member-based organization within the ADA ecosystem that focuses on blockchain continuity and future improvements, confirmed the announcement, stating via X: “Node 9.1.0 is here! The final release to bring on-chain decision making to Cardano is here. As with all hard forks, Cardano updates when the community is ready.”
Cardano Chang hard fork is ready
The update of Node version 9.0.0 The upgrade to version 9.1.0 is significant, primarily due to the introduction of the mandatory Conway Genesis file at startup, which is critical for the transition through the Chang hard forkPreviously, the genesis file was optional.
In addition to the Genesis file integration, node 9.1.0 includes numerous bug fixes and improvements to both the command line interface (CLI) and application programming interface (API). Among these improvements is the introduction of a “treasury query” command, which provides enhanced information about the network’s financial operations.
Additionally, the updates ensure compatibility with two major Cardano Improvement Proposals: CIP69, which standardizes metadata structures, and CIP119, which introduces a transaction metadata tag to facilitate transaction identification and processing.
As Intersect describes, the community will decide when the Chang hard fork will be activated. The Chang hard fork will take place once 70% of validators have adopted the new node.
The Chang hard fork is set to significantly improve Cardano's capabilities, moving from the Vasil upgrade to a decentralized decision-making foundation through the implementation of CIP-1694 chain governance mechanisms.
This includes community-driven governance where ADA holders directly participate in decision-making through on-chain consensus. Additionally, delegated representatives (DReps) will play a pivotal role in expressing the community’s interests and directing the future of the network.
The Chang upgrade is structured in two distinct phases. The first, Chang Upgrade #1, will see the implementation of the initial set of governance features on Cardano and marks the beginning of the technical bootstrapping phase as outlined in CIP-1694.
The second phase, Chang Upgrade #2, will allow these governance mechanisms to move out of the technical bootstrap phase. This will enable full on-chain governance functionality, including participation in DRep and comprehensive governance actions.
This update also serves as a tribute to Phil Chang, a key figure in Cardano’s governance strategies at IOG, who passed away in 2022. His contributions have been instrumental in conceptualizing the Voltaire era, which Chang’s update seeks to make a reality.
At press time, ADA was trading at $0.4134.
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