Cardano has activated the Van Rossem hard fork, moving the network to Protocol Version 11 through an onchain governance vote, the first hard fork in the blockchain's history to win approval entirely through its governance system. The upgrade introduces new Plutus capabilities and cost-model improvements designed to lower smart-contract execution costs.
The activation marks a technical milestone for Cardano's Voltaire governance framework, which enables ADA holders to directly vote on protocol changes. The hard fork was approved through the governance process and represents a shift from previous upgrades managed by the Cardano Foundation, Input Output, and Emurgo.
Cardano previously executed hard forks including Shelley in 2020, which introduced stake pools, and Vasil in 2022, which added smart-contract enhancements. Those upgrades were coordinated through the network's developer entities rather than onchain voting. The Van Rossem activation demonstrates the governance structure Intersect, the member-led organization overseeing Cardano development, has put in place following Voltaire's launch.
The new Plutus capabilities expand the scope of smart contracts the network can execute. Plutus is Cardano's native smart-contract language. The cost-model improvements adjust the computational fees associated with running contracts on the network, addressing a long-standing concern among developers about execution expenses relative to competing platforms.
The upgrade also establishes technical groundwork for the Dijkstra era, Cardano's next development phase. Earlier eras, Byron, Shelley, Goguen, and Voltaire, marked distinct shifts in the network's capabilities, from launch through governance maturity.
Cardano's governance framework has grown in scope over the past year, with token holders voting on treasury spending, parameter changes, and protocol modifications. The Van Rossem hard fork was announced by Intersect as part of its 2026 technical roadmap.
