Cardano’s Alonzo Hard Fork Combinator has been one of the most important upgrades that have occurred on the Cardano network. Deployed just over a month ago, the upgrade brings smart contracts and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) services to the Cardano ecosystem.
Decentralized Applications (dApps) on Cardano’s Blockchain
The Alonzo Hard Fork Combinator allows developers to develop and deploy dApps on the Cardano blockchain. This has provided a significant boost to Cardano’s network, as the protocol continues its work in collaboration with developers, helping them deploy their decentralized applications on the network.
With the successful deployment of the Alonzo Hard Fork Combinator, developers are preparing to focus on the next phase of Cardano, the Babbage Era.
What’s Next For Cardano
Software engineer at Input Output, Kevin Hammond, gave a glimpse of what Cardano was working on next, sharing an update revealing that IOHK was ready to move towards the Babbage Era, the next phase of Cardano.
The Babbage Era is named after Charles Babbage, a mathematician credited to be the “father of the computer.” The Babbage Era will essentially iron out any issues that may be left after the Alonzo upgrade.
Proposed Performance Improvements
Several performance improvements are planned to be rolled out on the blockchain during the Babbage Era. According to Hammond, these improvements have been in the pipeline for a considerable time but have not officially launched.
Issues that will be addressed are improving the sinking speed, along with several performance issues brought into focus by developers and operators since the Alonzo Hard Fork Combinator became operational. The improvements are considered important as they will ensure that users on the network have a relatively smooth experience while working on Cardano.
Language Upgrade
Plutus, the language used on the Cardano network, is also getting a significant upgrade. The developer reveals plans to improve the language by introducing a new version of Plutus on the blockchain. Plutus script-specific aspects of Cardano’s network will also be improved, which will allow faster and larger transaction volumes in each block.
The new version will also include several additional features, which Cardano’s user base has been demanding for quite some time.
Further Decentralization
There are also plans afoot to decentralize the Cardano blockchain further. Cardano is looking to give its community more control over what happens on the network and which direction the network takes.
Blockchain-Based Supply Chain Accreditation
It was also revealed at the Cardano Summit 2021 that Strait Brands would be partnering with IOHK, with plans to embed the Atala SCAN into their production and distribution process. Atala SCAN provides the ideal solution to prevent the counterfeiting or mislabeling of products thanks to blockchain technology.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
