The Roadmap and the Dawn of Voltaire

Cardano's roadmap is a journey to decentralized governance divided into distinct eras. Byron established core technology, including the consensus mechanism and Ada. Shelley decentralized block production introduced staking, and incentivized stake pool operators. Goguen enabled smart contracts and dApps, while Basho focused on scaling and optimization. These eras paved the way for the final stage.

Voltaire represents the culmination of these efforts, establishing decentralized governance.  It empowers Ada holders to collectively manage Cardano collectively, creating a sustainable and democratic system for decision-making. Voltaire establishes processes for proposing, debating, and implementing network changes, giving the community a direct voice and completing the transition to a genuinely community-driven platform.  It's where the decentralization that began with  Shelley fully blossoms.

CIP 1694: The Blueprint for Decentralization

CIP 1694 is the Cardano Improvement Proposal (CIP) named after Voltaire's birth year. It defines the governance system of the Voltaire era and outlines mechanisms for on-chain voting, treasury management, and constitutional changes. Born from a desire to realize decentralization fully, CIP 1694 establishes a framework where Ada holders directly control the platform's future, making Cardano a truly community-governed ecosystem.

A strong community desire for on-chain governance drove CIP 1694's development. Recognizing the importance of broad consensus, community leaders initiated discussions and events, including a governance workshop letter that sparked considerable engagement.  This led to a global workshop grant fund supported by IOG, EMURGO, and the Cardano Foundation.  Nearly 100 applications were received, resulting in a series of in-person and virtual workshops held worldwide.  The workshops aimed to gather diverse feedback on CIP 1694's proposals, addressing key questions like governance action deposits, DRep incentives, and voting thresholds.  The synthesized feedback from these global discussions directly shaped the final CIP 1694 design.

The Chang and Plomin Hard Forks

The journey continued in two dynamic phases, each a significant leap forward. The first act, named Chang after Phil Chang, occurred in August 2024 and was about building the foundation. This "bootstrapping" phase introduced PlutusV3, a powerful engine that unlocks complex voting mechanisms and paved the way for the full realization of the Conway era. Delegated Representatives (DReps) and an Interim Constitutional Committee (ICC) were also introduced. Last but not least, Cardano got its interim constitution.

The second act, ignited by the community through an on-chain governance action in December 2025, unleashed the full potential of on-chain decision-making. This wasn't just about voting; it was about actual ownership. DReps, SPOs, and the ICC were all fully enabled to participate, making decisions directly impacting the ecosystem, including treasury withdrawals. This pivotal moment, previously known as Chang upgrade #2, was renamed the Plomin Hard Fork to honor the memory of Matthew Plomin, who tragically passed away in 2024. 

The Interim Constitution: A Stepping Stone

The Chang hard fork was more than just technical upgrades; it was a new era of governance, with the interim constitution playing a pivotal role. This document was a temporary framework, a crucial stepping stone toward a fully realized Cardano Blockchain Ecosystem Constitution. It provided the initial structure and guidelines for on-chain governance, enabling the community to experiment, learn, and refine the processes that would ultimately shape Cardano's future. It outlined fundamental governance principles, including the roles of DReps, the ICC, and Ada holders. It introduced mechanisms for proposing and voting on network changes, setting the stage for a more comprehensive governance system.

This interim phase was essential for several reasons. It allowed the community to gain practical experience with on-chain governance, testing proposed mechanisms in a real-world setting and providing valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of decentralized decision-making. 

Building Consensus: Constitutional Workshops

Consensus wasn’t built overnight—it required more dialogue and debate, but it always required a shared vision. 63 Constitutional Workshops were hosted in 52 countries, where more than 1,400 community members with a broad range of cultural experience and technical viewpoints came together to refine the governance principles set out by the Interim constitution and build consensus for the future.

Each workshop would elect a Delegate and Alternate Delegate whose roles were to gather and consider views or concerns representative of their community - enabling an incredible breadth of perspectives to be brought to the upcoming Constitutional Convention.

The Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention gathered hundreds of people from across the Cardano ecosystem, representing the global voices of their communities. Held simultaneously in Buenos Aires and Nairobi from December 4 to 6, 2024, this landmark event reinforced community ownership of governance. It was another highlight in our journey towards decentralized governance and a fully ratified Cardano Constitution.

After intense deliberation on the draft version of the Constitution, the delegates voted an overwhelming “Yes!” to proceed to an on-chain vote by DReps and the ICC.

On-Chain Voting and Ratification: The Voice of the Community 

Following the Plomin Hard fork, on January 30th, the delegate-endorsed constitution was formally submitted for DReps and the ICC to vote on. This updated constitution represents a significant milestone, replacing the interim constitution as a temporary framework. Its purpose is to provide a solid and enduring foundation for the Cardano ecosystem, guiding its future development and governance. This foundational document outlines the principles, rules, and processes shaping the Cardano blockchain and its community.

On February 18th, the governance action reached the required approval threshold. The DReps approved the constitution with an 84.29% vote, signifying their confidence in its design and purpose. The ICC unanimously voted "constitutional," affirming its adherence to established standards and principles. With these approvals secured, the Cardano Blockchain Ecosystem Constitution was officially enacted on February 23rd.

The Road Ahead: Elections and Amendments

With the Cardano Blockchain Ecosystem Constitution now ratified, DReps in place, and a Constitutional Committee established, the Cardano ecosystem is poised for its next development phase. A key focus is the upcoming Constitutional Committee election. The ICC is set to expire on Epoch 580 (September 1st). In anticipation of this transition, the Constitutional Committee election working group, operating under the Civics Committee, is diligently working to propose an initial framework for the election process. Further details regarding this election will be released shortly.

Beyond the immediate priority of this election, the community may also consider the future of the constitution itself. Remember that this is the Cardano Blockchain Ecosystem Constitution, not the final one. The document is designed to be adaptable and responsive to the emerging needs of the Cardano ecosystem. Therefore, discussions and planning about the future of the Constitution can progress regarding how, if, and when the Constitution might be amended in the future.