Overview
- The delegated-representative vote opened in early May and remains open through June 8, 2026, with published tallies on May 21–22 showing roughly 82–87% of votes opposing the 32.9 million ADA research request.
- Input Output Global’s proposal, titled “Cardano Vision 2026,” seeks 32.9 million ADA to fund work on scalability (including Leios), cryptography, and post-quantum security over the next year.
- Founder Charles Hoskinson said on May 21–22 that a failed vote would force research lab closures, trigger layoffs, cause researchers to leave for better-funded projects, and that IOG will not resubmit the same proposal if it is rejected.
- Key delegated representatives have reacted publicly: multiple Japanese DReps led the opposition, DRep YUTA abstained citing spending and milestone concerns and urged splitting the request, and DRep Chris O threatened to sell his ADA and exit if the proposal fails.
- The dispute tests Cardano’s governance model because DReps control treasury allocations and the vote outcome will shape whether the network keeps a centrally funded, peer-reviewed research engine or shifts to competitive bids and tighter, audit-style funding.