Cardano’s next major upgrade, Dijkstra, will not be deployed all at once. The infrastructure development has been officially split into two main phases, with Phase 1 targeting code completion in the fourth quarter of 2026. This first phase focuses on bringing Linear Leios and Nested Transactions to the mainnet, while Phase 2, which includes Ouroboros Peras, is scheduled to launch via an intra-era hard fork in the second quarter of 2027.
This roadmap split is due to the technical payload carried by each phase. Phase 1 is tasked with laying the network’s foundation by introducing a new transaction and block serialization mechanism, activating PlutusV4, and adding protocol parameters. The van Rossem hard fork in July completed the initial preparation phase by transitioning the mainnet to Protocol Version 11, setting the stage for Dijkstra.
Tactics to Boost Throughput Without Compromising Security
The main highlight of Phase 1 is Linear Leios. This feature is designed to introduce Endorser Blocks - an auxiliary block system verified by a stake-based committee. This endorsement block mechanism aims to boost Cardano’s transaction throughput without needing to overhaul or replace the Praos security model that currently supports the network.
In addition to focusing on Leios, Phase 1 also bears the responsibility of paving the way for the next phase. This update will install the codecs and parameters required for Ouroboros Peras, though the feature will not be active immediately. Peras requires the entire Phase 1 infrastructure to be active and running before it can be enabled in 2027.
Dedicated Voting Layer and Rust Node Targets
Once active in Phase 2, Ouroboros Peras will alter how blocks are finalized by adding a voting layer for stake pool operators (SPOs). This additional layer allows the network to achieve faster transaction settlement compared to relying solely on the standard chain-depth rules of the Praos security model.
Alongside the work on the core protocol roadmap, the implementation of Cardano’s open-source Rust-based node, Amaru, continues to advance. This alternative node is already capable of relaying and validating the chain tip, and targets block production on the mainnet in November 2026.
The development timeline for Amaru targets a general release for block producers on September 30. Following that, Dijkstra compatibility is scheduled for October 29, followed by full support for Leios features on November 26.
Remaining Challenges at the Finish Line
All these technical preparations will soon enter the on-chain decision-making system. The Intersect organization is scheduled to submit constitutional amendments regarding the activation of the new Dijkstra parameters by Epoch 655, which begins on September 11.
Although key dates have been set, the entire schedule remains an estimate. The dynamics of community governance approval and the duration of bug testing could slow down the activation of Dijkstra on the mainnet at any time. Reported by crypto.news.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
