The Cardano blockchain is undergoing significant technical enhancements, setting the stage for its next major protocol upgrade. These developments coincide with the imminent arrival of new stablecoin liquidity, marking a period of substantial progress for the network’s infrastructure and application layer.
Foundation for the “van Rossum” Hard Fork
Developers are laying the groundwork for the upcoming “van Rossum” hard fork through two key software releases. The native smart contract language, Plutus, has been updated to version 1.58.0.0. This release introduces additional built-in functions and is designed to bolster system stability ahead of the transition to Protocol Version 11.
Simultaneously, Cardano Node 10.6.2 has been deployed. This update focuses on structural improvements within the infrastructure, preparing it for the forthcoming protocol modifications. The “van Rossum” hard fork itself aims to deliver specific optimizations. Its goals include enhancing Plutus performance, improving ledger consistency, and strengthening overall node security, all without altering the fundamental transaction structure.
The upgrade’s name was formally confirmed following a community vote, where it received support from over 80% of the active delegated representative stake (DRep). These preparatory steps are also seen as paving the way for the subsequent “Dijkstra” era, which will be encapsulated in Protocol Version 12.
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USDCx to Inject Stablecoin Liquidity
This technical evolution is happening alongside growth in Cardano’s application ecosystem. A critical development is the planned integration of the USDCx stablecoin by the end of this month. This move addresses a long-discussed need for robust stablecoin liquidity on the Cardano blockchain.
On-chain data from two days ago indicates that initial minting processes for USDCx are already underway, with more than 32 million units registered as circulating supply.
Institutional Interest and ETF Speculation
Beyond technical and ecosystem news, some market observers are considering potential institutional catalysts. The recent launch of CME Cardano futures contracts at the beginning of the month initiated a theoretically relevant six-month surveillance period. This has led to speculation about whether such a development could accelerate the path toward a potential spot ETF approval. In a base-case scenario, this could establish a potential timeline extending until August.
In the immediate term, however, the primary focus remains on the successful deployment of the preparatory software releases and the USDCx integration by month’s end. Both are considered foundational elements for the successful activation of Protocol Version 11, the “van Rossum” hard fork.
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