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Cardano Founder Says Research Labs Could Close After Japanese dReps Reject IOG Funding

The warning raises questions about whether Cardano’s decentralized voting will protect the network’s long‑term research agenda.

Overview

  • Several Japanese delegated representatives voted against an Input Output Global research funding proposal, producing a reported 82.2% oppose to 17.68% support split in the early tallies.
  • Charles Hoskinson warned on May 21 that failure to pass the proposal could force Cardano research labs to close and drive scientists away from the project.
  • The proposal, titled “Cardano Vision 2026: Human Centered, Scalable, Post Quantum Secure – IO Research,” seeks funding for scalability work, cryptography, post‑quantum security, and human‑centered design.
  • The vote remains open until June 8, leaving a narrow window for ADA holders to change outcomes by re‑delegating voting power to representatives who back the research plan.
  • Beyond immediate lab funding, the dispute tests Cardano’s governance model and its identity as a peer‑reviewed, research‑driven blockchain while the ADA token trades at depressed levels, which could affect delegation incentives and budget decisions.