Cardano proposes an intra-era hard fork to Protocol Version 11

17.09.2025

Cardano’s ecosystem is discussing an intra-era hard fork path toward Protocol Version 11 — an upgrade approach that avoids an “era” change and instead delivers a more contained set of improvements. This typically reduces integration risk for wallets and infrastructure providers: changes are more predictable, easier to test, and simpler to deploy without long migration cycles. The focus includes smart-contract-layer optimization, rule consistency, and node reliability enhancements that collectively improve stability for both developers and users. For major L1 networks, the method matters as much as the content — markets often evaluate how controlled and coordinated the upgrade process is. Working groups and synchronized release planning help prevent fragmentation and strengthen confidence in the network’s technical governance.