Cardano Founder Updates on Chang Fork Amid Governance Restructuring
In a significant development for the Cardano blockchain ecosystem, voting for the Interim Constitutional Committee (ICC) commenced on June 13, marking a pivotal step in the governance model overhaul anticipated with the upcoming Chang hard fork. This voting process, allowing ADA holders to select three new ICC members, is taking place via the Summon Platform and will conclude on June 23, spanning Epochs 491 and 492.
The ICC is essential during the Chang hard fork’s technical bootstrapping phase, responsible for upholding the interim constitution and ensuring Governance Actions comply with its mandates. The election results will be announced on June 26.
Cardano Founder Responds Amid Criticism
Amid these governance updates, Pi Lanningham, CTO of Sundae Labs—a Cardano-based project—voiced concerns about the current voting process, specifically criticizing the non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) related to the draft constitution.
Lanningham expressed his decision to abstain from voting until Input Output Global (IOG), the development company behind Cardano, voids all NDAs regarding the draft constitution. He argued that IOG’s approach might exacerbate concerns by limiting open discussions, potentially fueling unnecessary controversy.
He suggested that by restricting transparency, IOG might unintentionally amplify community discord and conspiracy theories. Lanningham emphasized the importance of open dialogue in a decentralized ecosystem, where community trust and participation are vital. He proposed that IOG should address controversial provisions and their rationale proactively, fostering healthier discussions and a more resilient governance framework.
Charles Hoskinson Addresses Community
In response to the criticism and ongoing community debate, Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano and CEO of IOG, provided an update. He indicated that the comprehensive governance package, including the fork-ready candidate node, the guardrail contract, and the interim constitution, would likely be released soon. Hoskinson stated that these components were expected to be available around Friday.
Chang Hard Fork and the ICC
The Cardano Constitution, currently an off-chain informational document as per CIP-1694, aims to capture Cardano’s core values and ensure its long-term sustainability. It envisions evolving into a smart contract-driven framework.
The ICC is designed to act as the guardian of this constitution, with mechanisms to replace it through specific governance actions if necessary, reflecting a robust and adaptable governance framework.
As Cardano approaches the Chang hard fork, the dynamics within its community and the unfolding governance model remain critically important. The outcomes of the current voting and the integration of the interim constitution will likely have long-lasting impacts on the blockchain’s operational and governance landscape.
