- 93% of block production already running on Protocol Version 11
- DReps and SPOs have surpassed required approval thresholds
- One additional Constitutional Committee vote needed for ratification
- Hard fork expiration deadline set for July 18
The Cardano network is approaching a critical milestone as the van Rossem hard fork enters its final ratification window. According to the latest update from Intersect, the member-based organization guiding Cardano’s decentralized governance, the upgrade to Protocol Version 11 is now in the closing 12 hours of epoch 642. This intra-era hard fork is designed to enhance Plutus performance, improve ledger consistency, and strengthen node security, while also introducing new primitives, VRF key uniqueness, and updated reference input rules.
On-chain voting has cleared most major benchmarks, with Delegated Representatives (DReps) reaching 76.81% approval—well above the 60% threshold—and stake pool operators (SPOs) hitting 52.76%, surpassing the 51% requirement. The Constitutional Committee has recorded four out of the five needed approvals, leaving just one more vote or abstention to finalize the process. The hard fork can be ratified on July 8, 13, or 18, with an expiration deadline of July 18 if conditions are not met.
Governance Progress and On-Chain Voting
The governance action for the van Rossem upgrade has been live on mainnet since June 16, and the community has responded with strong support. DRep approval at 76.81% and SPO approval at 52.76% both exceed the required thresholds, signaling broad consensus among network participants. The Hard Fork Working Group has also formally recommended ratification, noting that block production and exchange readiness have surpassed the set targets.
Under Cardano’s ledger rules, hard fork ratification takes precedence over all other governance actions. This means that any simultaneous proposals will be postponed until the hard fork is resolved. The priority system ensures that the network upgrade moves forward without delays from competing agenda items.
Constitutional Committee Vote Remaining
The only remaining condition for ratification is a single additional vote from the Constitutional Committee. Four of the seven committee members have already voted, while three have not yet cast their ballots. One more approval or an abstention is needed to reach the required five. Until that happens, the pending governance actions will remain delayed in accordance with Cardano’s established rules.
Intersect confirmed that the hard fork working group has voted to formally recommend ratification, and the network’s adoption metrics continue to improve. The focus now shifts to the Constitutional Committee’s final decision, which will determine whether the upgrade can proceed on the scheduled dates.
Network Readiness and Adoption
Ecosystem readiness for the van Rossem hard fork has reached impressive levels. 93% of block production in the current epoch is already running on Protocol Version 11, demonstrating widespread node adoption. Exchange readiness, measured by tracked liquidity, has climbed to 84.15%, exceeding the required benchmark. These figures indicate that the network is well-prepared for the transition.
The upgrade also lays the groundwork for future scalability improvements, though the immediate focus remains on the governance process. With the expiration deadline of July 18 approaching, the next possible enactment dates are July 18 and July 23. If all conditions are met, the hard fork will implement Protocol Version 11, bringing performance enhancements to Plutus, improved ledger consistency, and heightened node security.
As the final hours of epoch 642 tick away, the Cardano community is watching closely. The combination of strong on-chain voting, high network readiness, and a single remaining committee vote puts the van Rossem hard fork on the cusp of ratification. Whether the upgrade clears the final hurdle on July 13 or requires the July 18 deadline, the process underscores Cardano’s commitment to decentralized governance and technical evolution.