Cardano Foundation unveils new roadmap: focus on DeFi, Web3, and governance decentralization

Cardano Foundation announced the next stage of network development, outlining key priorities for the coming years. The roadmap covers six areas, including DeFi, Web3, tokenization of real assets, and governance decentralization.

According to foundation representatives, the strategy will be implemented in partnership with the ecosystem, community, and several institutional players.

The first step will be allocating an eight-figure sum in ADA to support stablecoins and increase liquidity in DeFi. The foundation also intends to fund community initiatives, including the Stablecoin DeFi Liquidity Budget project.

To accelerate the adoption of Web3 in the Cardano ecosystem, two new specialists will join the team to work on integrations, listings, and the development of the RWA direction.

A separate section of the roadmap concerns startup support. After the Venture Hub pilot, the foundation plans to scale the program, directing up to 2 million ADA in 2026 for company development. Tools include investments, loans, technical support, and collaboration with Draper U, Techstars, and CV VC.

Cardano is also promoting CIP-0113 and CIP-0143 standards and adapting the new x402 payment framework. Together with MembersCap, $10 million has already been launched in RWA.

In 2026, the foundation will allocate 12% more funds for marketing: initiatives include Cardano Academy, participation in TOKEN2049, Consensus, and Africa Tech Summit.

To enhance governance transparency, it is planned to delegate an additional 220 million ADA to 11 new DReps representatives, while the foundation’s self-delegation will be reduced to 80 million ADA. This step will require abandoning the current SPO delegation scheme and transitioning to working through own pools.

“We are confident that an integrated and collaborative approach will drive Cardano’s growth in the coming years,” the foundation emphasized.