Cardano developers reduce community funding requests to $46.8 million, improving scalability.
April 23, 2026
Cardano’s core development company, Input Output, has recently submitted nine funding proposals for the 2026 community treasury, amounting to a total of $46.8 million. This marks a significant decrease of approximately 52% compared to last year’s $97.5 million allocation. This move signals the beginning of a gradual reduction in dependence on community funds, showcasing a strategic shift in approach.
The nine proposals revolve around two key areas of focus. Firstly, the consensus upgrade plan, Leios, is anticipated to enhance Cardano’s transaction processing capability by 10 to 65 times. The goal is to surpass 1,000 transactions per second, with testing scheduled for June and a full rollout slated for the year’s end. Secondly, the Bitcoin DeFi system, Pogun, is designed to enable Bitcoin holders to participate in lending and earning opportunities through Cardano without the need to entrust centralized entities. The lending functionalities are predicted to be launched publicly in the second quarter of the year.
The voting process involves approximately 1,000 elected representatives known as DReps, with the deadline for voting set for May 24. The outcome of the voting will serve as a litmus test to gauge the Cardano community’s perception of Input Output as a recurring funding applicant, shedding light on community sentiments and preferences.
In tandem with these developments, the newly introduced stablecoin, USDCx, has gained traction within the Cardano ecosystem, reaching a circulation of 14.6 million coins mere weeks after its introduction. Additionally, the total locked assets on the network have witnessed a growth from $137.5 million to $142.7 million, underscoring the increasing utility and adoption of stablecoin offerings within the Cardano landscape.
As Cardano continues to forge ahead with its strategic initiatives and funding proposals, the ecosystem is poised for further growth and expansion. The emphasis on enhancing transaction processing capabilities and fostering decentralized financial opportunities reflects a concerted effort to propel Cardano towards its envisioned trajectory of innovation and sustainability in the evolving blockchain landscape.
