Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has highlighted 2025 as a breakthrough year for the blockchain, citing major achievements in decentralized governance and network infrastructure. The network successfully implemented a large-scale on-chain governance system, enabling community-led decision-making for the first time.
A key milestone was the community's passage of a $150 million annual budget through the new governance structure. Hoskinson confirmed that strategic decisions and funding priorities are no longer controlled by him or the Cardano Foundation, marking a significant step toward true decentralization. This governance framework was established through a global constitutional convention involving members from over 50 countries.
On the technical front, Cardano launched the Hydra scaling protocol in 2025 to handle increased transaction demand with low latency. The network also introduced Midnight, a sidechain designed for private, cross-chain transactions. Hoskinson confirmed that the Ouroboros Leios upgrade is scheduled for 2026, focusing on improved efficiency.
The bullish momentum has carried into 2026 with several major developments. The Cardano Improvement Proposal (CIP) for Leios is reportedly 83% complete. Perpetual futures trading for Midnight (NIGHT) went live on Coinbase International Exchange and Coinbase Advanced on January 15.
Institutional adoption is also accelerating. Google Cloud has launched a Cardano stake pool on the testnet, aligning with its role as a validator for the Midnight network. Furthermore, Cardano (ADA) has been included in new ETF applications filed with the SEC, including the Cyber Hornet S&P Crypto 10 ETF and the ProShares CoinDesk Crypto 20 ETF, where it holds a 3.1% allocation.
Phillip Pon, CEO of Emurgo, hinted at upcoming critical integrations, stating that at least two contracts for tier-1 integrations under the PENTAD initiative are under review. Additionally, Intersect, a Cardano member organization, has submitted a governance action to increase Plutus memory unit limits to reduce friction for smart contract developers.
