Cardano’s core development team, Input Output Global (IOG), has secured 96 million ADA (worth ~$71M) following a landmark community vote—marking the first time Cardano’s treasury has been tapped through direct democratic governance. The funding, approved by 74% of voters, will be distributed based on milestone completion and overseen by Intersect, a member-led governance body.
IOG must provide monthly progress reports, detailed timesheets, and quarterly budget updates. Smart contracts and an oversight committee will ensure full transparency and accountability. Key upgrades include enhancements to Hydra (Cardano’s scalability layer), modular redesigns via Project Acropolis, improved RAM and cost efficiency for stake pool operators, and expanded smart contract capabilities for interoperability.
The vote wasn’t without criticism—some community members questioned the size of the request and pushed for more granular, phased proposals. A rival proposal by Cardano’s Technical Steering Committee was rejected.
Cardano joins Ethereum and Solana in rolling out major 2025 upgrades, with the ecosystem striving to remain competitive and developer-friendly. Meanwhile, founder Charles Hoskinson has promised to livestream an upcoming audit of IOG’s ADA holdings, following accusations of past mismanagement—claims he denies. The upgrade plan and audit signal a pivotal chapter for Cardano’s transparency and growth.
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