Cardano to Enter Next Phase, Shelley, in Q1 2019

Cardano (ADA), a project bringing innovative solutions to decentralization, has confirmed that the next phase of their project will arrive in Q1 2019. The next stage of the project brings some much anticipated upgrades to the network.

The Shelley phase of the project follows the Byron phase, and will introduce a fully decentralized network with staking and delegation to the network.

Whereas Byron gave a comparatively basic interaction with the network, Shelley will make the platform more feature-filled and robust, possibly attracting developers to the network. Shelley now pulls Cardano’s enthusiastic investors further in, though the “social aspect,” i.e. how the team can make the network as fair as possible.

The key feature in the next phase will be the introduction of the Open Ouroboros Delegation, which Cardano is currently implementing in code. Cardano also recently released a whitepaper on Proof-of-Stake sidechains.

Among the many features are multi-signature transactions, quantum-resistant transactions, light client support and major user-friendliness refinements — or “human friendly addresses.” The complete list of features can be viewed on the Cardano Roadmap site and testifies to the team’s carefully constructed development plan.

Cardano co-founder and lead developer Charles Hoskinson has said that the delegation mechanic for the network is nearing completion.

Heading to Berlin for an internal workshop to finalize the design of Cardano's delegation mechanics. 50 pages of math to go through #ShelleyIsComing pic.twitter.com/2Uj2cUApT9 — Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) January 7, 2019

Cardano Improvements Make for a Major 2019

None of this can take place without sufficient testing, and for that reason Shelley’s testnet will be an important part of the release. Registrations opened early last year, but the tesnet launch has been delayed by a few months. However, the launch is imminent, so users will be able to offer their thoughts on the usability and efficiency of the soon-to-be-decentralized network.

Hoskinson has said that the network will be 50 to 100 more times decentralized with the Shelley update. This distribution of power is made possible through Cardano’s decision to allow for more than 1,000 staking pools and complete autonomy.

Cardano is making a splash in the crypto world and many investors are hopeful about the project’s prospects, supported by its many innovations.

The IOHK foundation, one of the 3 organizations behind Cardano’s development, also sees education as a very important aspect for blockchain’s general progress. Admirably, the foundation has set up workshops and classes for the youth of Uganda and Ethiopia.