Cardano Vision 2026: Human Centred, Scalable, Post Quantum Secure - IO Research
**Proposal as pdf:** [here](https://ipnso-com.ipns.dweb.link/?cid=QmbrCWbfcJYUeBVzTkqRFUNej86YAcEwiDkQNgY2gWrq1X) Cardano Vision 2026 (CV26) delivers a structured, end-to-end innovation pipeline that translates foundational research into deployable system capabilities and measurable impact. Building on CV25, where delivery exceeded targets by 20%, the programme is executed through an integrated IO Research delivery model combining research (IOR), applied engineering (ARC), and product alignment (Cardano Business Unit). CV26 is anchored around 3 priorities. * **Human-centred design** improves usability, incentives, and governance participation through enhanced DevEx (e.g. decentralized APIs), better SPO alignment, and reduced user friction via intent-based interaction. * **Scalability** is addressed through a layered architecture combining consensus improvements (Leios/Peras integration), L2 execution and ZK-enabled scaling, and mid-term research like sharding. * **Post-quantum security** ensures long-term resilience through evaluation and migration of quantum-resistant cryptographic primitives, supported by a cross-cutting roadmap spanning security, transaction efficiency, ZK/L2 infrastructure, and partner chains. The programme is organised into 7 work packages aligned to ecosystem outcomes: WP1 Trust, Security & Reliability Infrastructure; WP2 Scalability & Execution Layer; WP3 Developer Platform & User Experience; WP4 Applications, Adoption & Liquidity; WP5 Economic Systems & Incentives; WP6 Governance, Identity & Social Infrastructure; and WP7 Delivery, Dissemination & Partnerships. CV26 delivers **42 outputs across the innovation pipeline**: 38 papers and technical reports at early TRL; 8 Cardano Problem Statements (CPS) and 12 prototypes at mid-TRL (including Leios/Peras integration designs, dynamic fee mechanisms, SPO incentive models, and a decentralised Babel fee marketplace); and 5 Cardano Improvement Proposals (CIPs) enabling implementation in identity services, ZK-enabled L2 scalability, and post-quantum security. The ₳32.916M (\$7.9M) funds a consortium of 9 R&D partners led by IOR, including leading universities (Edinburgh, Tokyo, Oxford, Buenos Aires) and ecosystem contributors (Eryx). In total, 36 FTEs operate as a research network under the leadership of Aggelos Kiayias, positioning Cardano for sustained, research-driven growth.
Reasoning
Written after the vote was cast
What this asks for, and from whom
32,920,000 ADA for Cardano Vision 2026, IO's structured research-to-deployment pipeline covering human centred design, scalability, and post quantum security, building on CV25 which the proposal states exceeded delivery targets by 20 percent.
What would have to be true for this to be a good use of treasury funds
Research is why I am here. The academic approach is Cardano's real differentiator and post quantum work in particular is the kind of thing that looks premature right up until the day it is far too late.
What specifically concerns me
Research programs can run indefinitely without producing anything deployable, which is the standard critique and a fair one. What moved me is that CV26 is explicitly a pipeline from research into deployed capability with prior-year delivery data attached. A track record, even a self-reported one, beats a promise.
What I am asking of the proposer if this passes
It was enacted. Publish the conversion rate: research streams started, capabilities actually shipped to mainnet. That single ratio would settle the perpetual argument about whether Cardano research pays for itself.