Intersect Publishes Development Update 98 as Cardano Nears Major Hard Fork
Intersect, the member based organization coordinating open source development and governance for Cardano, has released Development Update 98 around mid February 2026. The report outlines progress toward the network’s next major upgrade, widely expected to be Protocol Version 11 and informally referred to as the van Rossem Hard Fork.
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The proposed naming has already received strong backing from Delegated Representatives, with more than seventy percent support reported in governance discussions. The update signals that technical, governance, and community efforts are converging as the ecosystem prepares for another coordinated upgrade.
Node 10.6.2 Enables Early Hard Fork Testing
A key highlight of the update is the pre release of Cardano Node 10.6.2. This version is expected to roll out imminently and contains core functionality required for the upcoming hard fork. It is designed to enable early testing on SanchoNet, Cardano’s governance focused test environment.
By deploying the hard fork logic in a controlled setting, developers and stake pool operators can validate performance, stability, and compatibility before broader rollout. Early testing phases are critical for identifying edge cases and ensuring smooth coordination across the distributed network.
Node 10.7.0 Positioned as Mainnet Candidate
Looking ahead, Node 10.7.0 is targeted within approximately two weeks of the pre release. This version is positioned as the mainnet hard fork ready candidate, pending successful benchmarking and validation on testnets.
The phased release strategy reflects Cardano’s methodical upgrade approach. Benchmarking ensures that performance metrics meet expectations, while testnet validation provides real world simulation of network conditions. Only after these stages are completed would the upgrade proceed toward mainnet activation.
Governance Momentum Behind the Van Rossem Proposal
The governance layer has played a visible role in this upgrade cycle. The proposal to name the upgrade after van Rossem has attracted broad DRep support, underscoring increasing participation in Cardano’s onchain decision making framework.
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Community leaders, including DReps and stake pool operators, have shared detailed breakdowns of the update across social platforms, reinforcing transparency and encouraging wider stakeholder engagement. Open source surveys and governance discussions continue to shape development priorities.
Global Community Engagement
Beyond technical milestones, Intersect highlighted active participation at major industry events. Discussions on interoperability, governance design, and cross ecosystem collaboration took place at the Cardano Africa Tech Summit in Nairobi around February 13, 2026. Momentum also carried into appearances at Consensus Hong Kong, where ecosystem representatives engaged with global builders and investors.
An additional governance focused session is scheduled in Tokyo on February 25, further extending Cardano’s international outreach.
Conclusion
Development Update 98 illustrates Cardano’s coordinated progress toward its next hard fork. With node releases advancing, governance support consolidating, and global engagement expanding, the network appears to be entering another pivotal upgrade phase grounded in technical rigor and community participation.
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Dr. Olajide Samuel juggles the demands of medical studies with a passion for cryptocurrency. A seasoned blogger, Olajide shares his vast global knowledge of the crypto space, offering insights to enthusiasts. Despite his busy schedule, his commitment to crypto remains strong, and he actively seeks ways to contribute to its future.
