Cardano is going through a significant transformation by adopting a more open and agile development model. The founder of the blockchain, Charles Hoskinson, announced this change on May 10, marking a new phase in the network's development. The new approach aims to involve external contributors more actively in expanding the ecosystem and introduce flexible workflows to accelerate innovation while upholding security principles.

Hoskinson noted that Cardano's initial design emphasized caution and long-term planning, leading to a secure foundation but hindering rapid development and external contributions. To address this, Cardano is integrating smaller, more adaptable teams like Aiken and Midgard alongside established units such as Input Output’s formal verification team to combine speed and rigor for keeping up with evolving requirements.

Hoskinson emphasized the importance of blending innovation with Cardano's core strengths through this hybrid approach. He acknowledged potential resistance from some community members accustomed to the previous methods but stressed that evolution is vital for Cardano's advancement.

To support the transition, Cardano has restructured its internal setup, parting ways with contributors allegedly hindering the Leios upgrade scheduled for 2026 by attempting to delay it to 2028. Hoskinson's stance is clear on avoiding delays and prioritizing advancement to elevate Cardano to the next level.

This strategic change aligns Cardano with the prevailing trend in the blockchain industry, where competitors such as Ethereum are rapidly releasing upgrades to sustain momentum. Cardano aims to follow suit, maintaining a security-first mindset while enhancing its development pace.