The Chang Era of Cardano: How Hard Forks Will Change ADA's Future

Cardano (ADA) is undergoing a critical transformation. As a leading Layer-1 blockchain, this platform is renowned for its security, sustainability, and scalability, created by one of Ethereum’s co-founders, Charles Hoskinson. However, the platform’s true evolution began with the hard fork Chang—this update not only changes the technical foundation but also aims to reshape the entire governance system.

Starting with the Hard Fork

Any serious blockchain upgrade involves the concept of a hard fork. Simply put, a hard fork is a complete overhaul of the blockchain protocol, making it incompatible with previous versions. Unlike soft forks, which maintain backward compatibility, hard forks result in a permanent split—the classic example being Bitcoin’s 2017 hard fork, which directly led to Bitcoin Cash (BCH).

While this mechanism is aggressive, it is precisely what enables significant upgrades in blockchain technology. The Chang hard fork marks such a turning point.

Chang Hard Fork: The Key to Cardano’s Voltaire Era

Scheduled for the end of July 2024, the Chang hard fork signifies Cardano’s transition into the Voltaire era—arguably the most transformative phase on its roadmap. Governance is no longer solely dictated by Input Output Global (IOG) but is now fully driven by ADA holders and the community.

The core objectives of this update include:

• Launching a community-driven governance model
• Introducing DReps(Delegated Representatives) system
• Drafting the Cardano Constitution
• Enhancing network security and transaction speed

In other words, Chang is not just a technical upgrade but a transfer of power—from a centralized development team to a decentralized community.

Details of Performance Upgrades

A Leap in Transaction Throughput

Currently, Cardano processes about 250 transactions per second (TPS), but the goal of the Chang hard fork is to surpass 1,000 TPS. What does this mean? Reduced network congestion, lower transaction fees, and smoother operation for DeFi applications and NFT projects. For developers looking to build on Cardano, this is a strong signal.

Faster Transaction Speeds and User Experience

Faster confirmation times are crucial for real-time applications—whether financial services or gaming platforms, users dislike waiting. The Chang hard fork directly optimizes the protocol to significantly shorten transaction times.

Security Enhancements

New cryptographic protocols and validation mechanisms will protect the network against threats like double-spending attacks. Especially, the optimization of the Ouroboros consensus mechanism will significantly improve the network’s resilience and recovery capabilities.

Governance Revolution: DReps and Community Constitution

How DReps Work

The DReps mechanism introduced by the Chang hard fork allows ADA holders to select trusted representatives to participate in voting. You don’t need to vote yourself every time—delegate to a DReps, and they will represent your interests. This greatly lowers participation barriers, enabling more people to influence the network’s direction.

( Constitutional Assembly and Democratic Decision-Making

Cardano will hold a Constitutional Assembly in Buenos Aires, where global representatives will collaboratively draft the Cardano Constitution. Subsequently, all ADA holders can vote to approve it. This is genuine democratic decision-making—not a decision by a few, but the collective will of the entire community.

Historical Reflection: How Hard Forks Have Affected ADA Price

) Alonzo Hard Fork Market Frenzy ###September 2021###

When Cardano launched the Alonzo hard fork in September 2021, it introduced smart contract functionality. The market responded enthusiastically—ADA soared from $1.35 to $3.10 within 10 days, a 130% increase. Investors were excited about Cardano’s potential to rival Ethereum.

( Vasil Hard Fork’s Calm Response )September 2022###

The Vasil hard fork in September 2022 achieved scalability improvements (CIP-31, CIP-32, CIP-33), but market performance remained relatively calm. Although ADA rose 9% to $0.49 upon announcement, overall, the bear market limited upward movement.

( Chang Hard Fork Expectations

Based on historical data, market analysts are generally optimistic about Chang. The promise of decentralized governance and community empowerment signals may attract a new wave of investors. Many expect to see a rally similar to the Alonzo period.

Current ADA Market Status

As of December 2025, ADA’s trading price is $0.35, down 61.97% over the past year. This price point may seem subdued, but it is precisely during such times that long-term believers evaluate whether the Chang hard fork can reverse the downward trend.

Recent Performance:

• 24-hour change: -2.16%
• 7-day change: -5.52%
• 30-day change: -18.96%

Impact of the Chang Hard Fork on the Cardano Ecosystem

) Positive Outlook

Increased Participation: Empowers ADA holders with real influence, motivating more community involvement

Staking Rewards Growth: Higher network participation could lead to more lucrative staking yields

Enhanced Security: Distributed decision-making reduces risks of centralization attacks

Transparent Ecosystem: All decisions are made via open voting, fully traceable

Challenges in Practice

Coordination Complexity: Achieving consensus among millions of holders is no easy feat

Voter Apathy: If most ADA holders do not participate in voting, governance effectiveness diminishes

Technical Risks: Large-scale hard forks carry implementation risks; ensuring a smooth transition is critical

Cardano Roadmap for 2024 and Beyond

Global Constitution Workshops

Cardano plans to hold Constitution workshops in 50 locations worldwide, coordinated by Intersect. The goal is to gather diverse voices and ensure the constitution truly reflects community will.

Role of the Intersect Project

This initiative supports event organizers, advances governance proposals, and optimizes management frameworks. It also provides funding to support community-led projects. By participating, you can directly shape Cardano’s future.

Real Asset Tokenization

Cardano is advancing RWA###Real World Asset### tokenization. From real estate and art to commodities, assets can be represented on-chain. The NMKR platform has already tokenized diamonds, opening Web3 opportunities for brands and creators.

Summary: Opportunities and Risks in the Chang Era

The Chang hard fork marks a pivotal moment for Cardano. Technologically, the network will be faster, safer, and more scalable. Governance-wise, power truly shifts to the community. This is a transformation far beyond an ordinary upgrade.

But it is important to recognize that the crypto market is volatile. The current $0.35 price of ADA may contain opportunities or risks. Before making any decisions, conduct thorough research, understand the implications of the Chang hard fork, and assess your risk tolerance.

The future of Cardano depends on community participation. If you believe in the ideals of decentralized governance, the Chang era might be an interesting point of observation.