Cardano Developer Submits Reduced Funding Proposal for Scalability and Bitcoin DeFi Expansion

Input Output, the company responsible for building and maintaining the Cardano blockchain, has submitted a funding proposal for $46.8 million, representing a substantial reduction from its $97.5 million request in the previous year. The proposal, which was submitted for the 2026 voting cycle, outlines plans to enhance the scalability of the Cardano network and expand its presence in the Bitcoin DeFi space. The reduced funding request marks a deliberate effort by Input Output to decrease its reliance on community treasury funds and transition towards self-sustainability. The proposal is divided into two primary themes, with the first focusing on a consensus upgrade called Leios, designed to significantly increase the network's transaction processing capacity. The second theme centers around the development of Pogun, a system aimed at integrating Bitcoin-based decentralized finance into the Cardano ecosystem. Additional proposals address performance enhancements, security testing, and the expansion of API services. The voting process, which commences on Tuesday and concludes on May 24, will be overseen by approximately 1,000 elected delegates. The outcome of the vote will provide valuable insight into the Cardano community's perspective on Input Output's role in the project's development and the effectiveness of the governance structure in place.