Cardano Vision 2026: Human Centred, Scalable, Post Quantum Secure - IO Research
Treasury withdrawal: Pays ADA out of the Cardano treasury.
- Status
- Enacted: Approved and in effect.
- Proposed
- 7 May 2026, in epoch 629
- Amount
- ₳32,916,000
- Action ID
- gov_action1ttgs45ulfxs0jwkfrecystc3flduhszmyzk8wnd7yw5za77tsg9qq4afmus
Votes
- DReps: 74.9% yes, 67% needed, threshold reached, 167 Yes · 29 No · 15 Abstain.
- Stake pools: do not vote on this action.
- Constitutional Committee: 100% yes.
Projects it pays for
Abstract
**Proposal as pdf:** [here](https://ipnso-com.ipns.dweb.link/?cid=QmbrCWbfcJYUeBVzTkqRFUNej86YAcEwiDkQNgY2gWrq1X)
Cardano Vision 2026 (CV26) delivers a structured, end-to-end innovation pipeline that translates foundational research into deployable system capabilities and measurable impact. Building on CV25, where delivery exceeded targets by 20%, the programme is executed through an integrated IO Research delivery model combining research (IOR), applied engineering (ARC), and product alignment (Cardano Business Unit).
CV26 is anchored around 3 priorities.
* **Human-centred design** improves usability, incentives, and governance participation through enhanced DevEx (e.g. decentralized APIs), better SPO alignment, and reduced user friction via intent-based interaction. * **Scalability** is addressed through a layered architecture combining consensus improvements (Leios/Peras integration), L2 execution and ZK-enabled scaling, and mid-term research like sharding. * **Post-quantum security** ensures long-term resilience through evaluation and migration of quantum-resistant cryptographic primitives, supported by a cross-cutting roadmap spanning security, transaction efficiency, ZK/L2 infrastructure, and partner chains.
The programme is organised into 7 work packages aligned to ecosystem outcomes: WP1 Trust, Security & Reliability Infrastructure; WP2 Scalability & Execution Layer; WP3 Developer Platform & User Experience; WP4 Applications, Adoption & Liquidity; WP5 Economic Systems & Incentives; WP6 Governance, Identity & Social Infrastructure; and WP7 Delivery, Dissemination & Partnerships.
CV26 delivers **42 outputs across the innovation pipeline**: 38 papers and technical reports at early TRL; 8 Cardano Problem Statements (CPS) and 12 prototypes at mid-TRL (including Leios/Peras integration designs, dynamic fee mechanisms, SPO incentive models, and a decentralised Babel fee marketplace); and 5 Cardano Improvement Proposals (CIPs) enabling implementation in identity services, ZK-enabled L2 scalability, and post-quantum security.
The ₳32.916M (\$7.9M) funds a consortium of 9 R&D partners led by IOR, including leading universities (Edinburgh, Tokyo, Oxford, Buenos Aires) and ecosystem contributors (Eryx). In total, 36 FTEs operate as a research network under the leadership of Aggelos Kiayias, positioning Cardano for sustained, research-driven growth.