Intersect weekly update #106 April 10, 2026
Welcome to Intersect’s update #106
Governance doesn't happen in documents — it happens in Discord channels, workshop rooms in Tokyo, and the steady work of committees that most people never see. This week's update captures all of it: a technical issue caught before it could cause problems, a budget process taking shape, a community event in Japan that filled every seat, and an election cycle that's building real momentum.
Contributors: Bosko M, Hard Fork Working Group
Cardano Upgrades
This week’s main update is that benchmarking of the 10.7.0 pre-release identified a significant memory regression, with around 6GB of additional RAM usage appearing over a 15-day period. Benchmarks matter because they are designed to surface issues like this before they affect the wider ecosystem. Their role is to make sure that new node versions are stable, performant, and ready to support the network under realistic conditions before they move closer to mainnet readiness.
The performance and testing teams believe they have identified the cause, and a local fix has already been implemented. Integration benchmarking with the performance team is planned over the next few days to confirm whether the issue is resolved without requiring any downstream API changes.
As a result, 10.7.0 won't be promoted to a mainnet-ready release but instead, the fixes are expected to be included in a 10.7.1 release, alongside a fix for a separate consensus issue that has been causing occasional failures.
While this is a meaningful issue, it has been identified early, before release promotion, which is exactly what the benchmarking process is designed to do. For now, the projected late June 2026 enactment date remains unchanged. If 10.7.1 can be delivered without API changes, there is still enough flexibility in the timeline to absorb the delay.
Cardano Node 10.7.0
- 10.7.0 pre-release is available now for testing
- Memory and performance fixes are expected to be included in 10.7.1
- Ecosystem teams are encouraged to begin testing and integration work now
- Due to storage shape changes, this release requires a full network resync
- Third-party integrators, including wallets and Rosetta providers, are already testing against the 10.7.0 pre-release
- Exchange engagement is expected to begin once supporting components become more stable
Keeping informed
The best place for technical updates and questions remains the #wg-hard-fork channel in the Intersect Discord, where the working group shares updates and responds directly to the community.
The Cardano Upgrades Knowledge Base continues to provide the most complete view of upgrade readiness, including working group policies, meeting notes, readiness tracking, and supporting context for the hard fork process.
Contributors: Civics committee, Thomas L, Ian H, Intersect, Intersect Steering Committee, Simo S, Intersect
Get ready for: 2026 Constitutional Committee Elections
Cardano’s annual CC election is rapidly approaching, with four of the current seven seats due for re-election by this September. Intersect facilitates this process to help ensure continuity in constitutional oversight and reduce the risk of gaps that could affect on-chain governance.
Key dates:
- May 1–30: Candidate registration
- June 13–July 13: Hydra voting via Ekklesia
- Late July: On-chain governance action to update the committee
Available seats are open for election, and open to any ada holder, including individuals, teams or companies. The Constitutional Committee members uphold the constitution by deliberating and voting on constitutionality of governance actions.
New for CC Elections this year:
Candidates must provide credentials during registration. This should help to ensure candidate readiness and reduce the risk of governance gaps later on in the process - plus an Info Action will be submitted ahead of voting to help raise awareness, support participation and encourage turnout.
Read the full blog post.
Civics Committee regular session round-up:
Civics members reviewed progress on practical governance workstreams this week. The Constitutional Amendment Process (CAP) working group gave progress updates including the target of end-of-April live testing for its tool and process, moving into hands-on validation. The committee also discussed work by Intersect, now underway, on the publication of the governance health dashboard, which is designed to turn Civics’ previously published governance health KPI report into something visible, usable, and actionable for the community.
Recently closed governance actions
1. Cardano Budget Process Framework (facilitated by Intersect)
Type: Info Action ℹ️
Expired: 4th Apr 2026 (Epoch 623) 🗓️
Breakdown:
- CC votes: 5 🟢 | 2 🔴 | 0 ⚪️
- DRep votes: 68.43%
- SPO votes: Not counted but the ledger allows a vote (3.16%)
2. Cardano x Draper Dragon: Orion Fund
Type: Treasury Withdrawal 💰
Ratified: 4th Apr 2026 (Epoch 623) 🗓️
Breakdown:
- CC votes: 6 🟢 | 0 🔴 | 0 ⚪️ | 1 ⏳
- DRep votes: 71.74% / 67%
Status: ✅ Enacted | Outcome | Vote Result
3. Dingo: a Production-Grade Block Producer in Go by Blink Labs
Type: Treasury Withdrawal 💰
Ratified: 9th Apr 2026 (Epoch 624) 🗓️
Breakdown:
- CC votes: 7 🟢 | 0 🔴 | 0 ⚪️
- DRep votes: 70.31% / 67%
Status: ✅ Ratified | Outcome | Vote Result
4. Cardano Defi Liquidity Budget - Withdrawal 1
Type: Treasury Withdrawal 💰
Ratified: 9th Apr 2026 (Epoch 624) 🗓️
Breakdown:
- CC votes: 7 🟢 | 0 🔴 | 0 ⚪️
- DRep votes: 74.14% / 67%
Status: ✅ Ratified | Outcome | Vote Result
Live governance actions*
1. Approve Cardano Foundation as New Managing Entity of Project Catalyst
Type: Info Action ℹ️
Expires: 19th Apr 2026 (Epoch 626) 🗓️
Progress Report:
- CC votes: 3 🟢 | 0 🔴 | 1 ⚪️ | 3 ⏳
- DRep votes: 74.32% /
- SPO votes: Not counted but the ledger allows a vote (5.61%)
More Info: Proposal | Vote Progress
2. Pebble + Gerolamo - HLabs 2026 Budget
Type: Treasury Withdrawal 💰
Expires: 29th Apr 2026 (Epoch 628) 🗓️
Progress Report:
- CC votes: 0 🟢 | 0 🔴 | 0 ⚪️ | 7 ⏳
- DRep votes: 33.31% / 67%
Thresholds: 5/7 CC members, 67% DRep active voting stake
More Info: Proposal | Vote Progress
3. Cardano Summit 2026 and TOKEN2049 Singapore
Type: Treasury Withdrawal 💰
Expires: 9th May 2026 (Epoch 630) 🗓️
Progress Report:
- CC votes: 0 🟢 | 0 🔴 | 0 ⚪️ | 7 ⏳
- DRep votes: 1.12% / 67%
Thresholds: 5/7 CC members, 67% DRep active voting stake
More Info: Proposal | Vote Progress
Details on all thresholds for governance action can be found here.
*data from 2026-04-09 22:00 UTC
Contributors: Budget committee, Duncan S, Intersect
Cardano Budget Process 2026
The budget proposal submission phase is set to open on April 16 at 12:00 UTC, following strong support from DReps. This is the next phase in this Budget process, allowing individuals, teams, and organizations to begin submitting proposals for solutions, services, and initiatives that support the ecosystem and align with Vision 2030. (Building a framework for 2026)
Throughout the info action voting period, we heard feedback received from DReps, builders, and community members. While there was broad support for a structured process, many contributors also highlighted areas for improvement. One recurring theme was the need to move away from bundling filtered proposals into larger Treasury Withdrawal actions, alongside calls for clearer proposal structures, better comparability between submissions, and stronger alignment with ecosystem priorities. This feedback informed the 2026 process and will continue to shape future iterations. (intersectmbo.org)
The published 2026 timeline now covers the full process from proposal submission and community review through to Hydra voting, audit periods, DRep review, and Treasury Withdrawal governance actions. If you are planning to submit, review, or participate this year, you can start to familiarize yourself with the key stages and deadlines now.
Alongside the updated timeline, the attached video helps you to do just that, and focuses on one of the most important themes for potential proposers: strategic alignment. The video explores how proposals should map to the five pillars of Vision 2030, connect to measurable ecosystem KPIs, and clearly explain the impact they aim to deliver. As Lloyd outlines, “good for Cardano” is not enough on its own. The strongest proposals will be those that are specific, realistic, measurable, and clearly connected to where the ecosystem is trying to go.
Vision 2030 was approved with around 68% DRep support and provides the shared strategic direction for the ecosystem, covering infrastructure and research, adoption and utility, governance, community and ecosystem growth, and sustainability and resilience. Under the 2026 process, proposals are expected to identify the pillar they support, the KPIs they contribute to, and the work packages they will deliver.
In the coming days, Intersect will be sharing more about its role as Administrator, alongside a new Administration hub with clearer documentation for vendors who choose to use Intersect’s administrator service.
To prepare:
- Review the updated 2026 budget timeline
- Read the proposal guidance and submission form
- Identify which Vision 2030 pillar your proposal supports
- Read the Budget 2026 information available on our Knowledge Base
- Begin preparing work packages and budgets ahead of April 16
Proposal preparation materials are available here: https://buff.ly/GjOMUyu
Contributors: Growth and marketing committee, Terence M, Larisa McF, Intersect
Ecosystem and Community
We always enjoy hosting live X Spaces whenever we are in an election cycle. The spaces give members and the wider community the opportunity to hear directly from committee representatives about the real work they do, the challenges they tackle, and why committees matter to them. This week’s X Space (which you can replay here) really highlighted the breadth of work across committees, from technical oversight to membership growth, governance, and coordination.
One of the most valuable parts of these conversations has been hearing directly from existing committee members about what they have found most rewarding. Across the sessions, members spoke not only about the visible outcomes of their work, but also about the unexpected benefits: building relationships across the ecosystem, learning from people with very different perspectives and expertise, gaining confidence, and seeing ideas turn into tangible improvements. For many, it was clear that committee participation had become far more meaningful and impactful than they had initially expected. A huge thank you to members taking part in the Spaces, and those who join to listen.
Alongside this, the Virtual Hub has continued to provide an informal space for members to connect, ask questions, watch presentations, and spend time with one another in a more relaxed setting. The hub remains open at any time for members to use, and Intersect welcomes ideas from members who would like to host virtual events, presentations, workshops, or community sessions there, with support available to help bring those ideas to life.
Looking ahead, applications for the 2026 committee elections remain open until April 17. Serving on a committee is an opportunity to contribute directly to the future of both Intersect and the wider Cardano ecosystem, whether through technical expertise, governance, events, community building, communications, or operational support. Committees are where ideas become practical work, and where members can help shape the priorities, structures, and systems that support Cardano’s next stage of growth.
Contributors: Abhik N, Intersect, Lara B, Intersect, Ian H, Intersect, Valeria D, Intersect, Ryan W, Intersect, Duncan S, Intersect
TEAMZ side event Japan 2026
This week, Intersect supported a community event in Japan focused on exploring Cardano’s 2026 budget process and the role of governance in shaping the ecosystem’s future.
The workshop created space for meaningful governance discussions with DReps in Japan and reached full capacity - with 44 attendees joining from within the Japanese community.
The event opened with a candid assessment of the Japanese community’s role by Fred Tanaka.
While Japan accounts for over 50% of ada holders, the region’s influence in active governance has historically not matched its stake. Fred challenged the room to bridge this gap, reminding them that they are the "heartbeat" of Cardano and that challenges are merely the pressure required to create diamonds. The message was clear: it is time for the Japanese community to lead with a voice commensurate with its holding.
Participants joined group workshops on governance and heard presentations from Intersect representatives and ecosystem leaders including Frederik Gregaard and Phillip Pon. Feedback from the Japanese community was overwhelmingly positive, with strong engagement throughout the session and networking afterwards.
A huge thank you to the sponsors, speakers, organizers, interpreters, and everyone behind the scenes who help make these events succeed. Events like this continue to show the value of bringing people together in local communities to build understanding, trust, and meaningful participation in Cardano governance.
Committee elections
With Intersect Committee elections applications now just over halfway, it’s a good time to check out all the relevant Committee X accounts here:
Budget, Civics, Growth & Marketing, Membership & Community, Open Source, Product, Technical Steering
What’s on next week
Subscribe to the Intersect Luma calendar to get reminders straight in your inbox
Intersect committee elections:
- X Space: Intersect Committee Elections '26 #3 : Get to know - Civics, Product and Budget Committees
Tuesday, April 14 2026 at 1530 UTC - Virtual Hub: Meet the Committees – GMC, MCC and ISC
Thursday, April 16 2026 at 1400 UTC
How to join the Virtual Hub guide on X
Regular schedule:
“Inside the van Rossem Upgrade: Weekly Community Q&A” X Space hosted by Intersect Technical Steering Committee
Thursday, April 16 2026 at 1430 UTC | Luma calendar
MCC Open Office Hours: Community Check-In & Candidate Spotlight
Join the Membership & Community Committee (MCC) X Space for a Cardano Community Check-In, Open Office Hours, and a live Candidate Showcase—hear updates, explore governance work, and meet those standing for election.
Set Reminders / Join: 📅 Monday, April 13 🕒 12:00 PM UTC
Enterprise Spotlight: CHAINAPP Technologies
CHAINAPP Technologies focuses on building cloud-based, serverless, and decentralized platforms for businesses looking to explore new ways of operating and delivering services.
As an Intersect Enterprise member, the company demonstrates their interest in supporting the wider Cardano ecosystem while continuing to work across a range of software and technology projects.
With experience spanning more than 15 years and work with a range of organizations and businesses, CHAINAPP Technologies brings a client-focused approach that emphasizes tailored solutions, flexibility, and practical delivery. Its work reflects the growing variety of enterprise members contributing different skills, experience, and perspectives across the ecosystem.
That’s it for this week’s update. Thank you for reading. To learn more about Intersect’s work, explore our Knowledge Base, which provides detailed information on governance structures, committees, and funding.
Join the conversation on Discord, and follow us on Twitter (X) and LinkedIn to engage with fellow members, working groups, and the broader community.
Your voice helps shape the future of Cardano governance.